Why Deepfakes a concern in elections? Maharashtra government sought strict against Deepfake Videos

 authorities highlighted the concerning trend of deep-fake videos and doctored images surfacing on various online platforms

Digital Desk: The Maharashtra government has issued a firm directive to state law enforcement agencies to crack down on the proliferation of deepfake content, citing its potential to sow confusion and damage reputations, especially during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. 

Deepfake technology, which digitally transforms the appearance of individuals in videos, has seen a surge in misuse, with manipulated content being disseminated widely on social media and digital platforms.

In an official statement, authorities highlighted the concerning trend of deep-fake videos and doctored images surfacing on various online platforms. These sophisticated manipulations, often generated using machine learning or artificial intelligence, pose a significant challenge to the integrity of electoral processes.

Expressing grave concerns over the implications of deepfake content, the government emphasised its role in distorting reality and spreading misinformation, leading to misunderstandings and defamation. In response, the Director-General of Police has been tasked with implementing stringent measures to curb the production and circulation of such deceptive content.

Deepfake content creates misunderstandings and is defamatory, said the government.

The directive comes in the wake of several incidents where deepfake videos targeted prominent figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take decisive action against individuals responsible for creating and disseminating deepfake material, branding them as "antisocial elements" undermining the electoral process.

Recent cases, such as the registration of a case against a Youth Congress social media handle and others for sharing a deepfake video of Amit Shah, underscore the urgency of addressing this emerging threat. Similarly, the Maharashtra police's action against an individual for uploading a deepfake video featuring Ranveer Singh advocating for a political party highlights the need for swift and decisive intervention to maintain the integrity of democratic processes.

The spreading of false information and hate speech via deepfakes has the capacity to erode the fundamental functions and principles of democratic systems by impeding individuals' engagement in decisions that impact them, shaping collective priorities, and articulating political intentions through well-informed choices. This has elicited responses from governments around the world to detect and limit their use.