Social media companies summoned by IT Ministry over concerns regarding deepfakes

Digital Desk: The powerful yet the most dangerous thing right now is Deepfake. As we all know DeepFake is artificial intelligence-generated media that uses deep learning techniques to alter or recreate realistic-looking visual and audio content. 

Amidst the surge in the issue was seen, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has called a discussion on the "Nuisances of Deepfake Content on Social Media Platforms" for November 23.

Governments and regulatory authorities around the world have expressed a sense of fear regarding the potential misuse of deepfake technology. 

The summons was given two days after IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the ministry would contact social media companies to discuss deepfakes. 

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised a warning over the exploitation of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to produce deepfakes, and he suggested that the media can help raise awareness.

However, PM Modi on the DeepFake issue stated “Crisis is emerging and it will take us to grave danger and has the potential to spread the fire of dissatisfaction."

A day after a viral fake video of Telugu actor Rashmika Mandanna sparked concerns about the misuse of AI and its potential to exacerbate gender violence online, the IT ministry sent two letters to all social media platforms, reminding them of their legal obligation to weed out misinformation and deepfakes.

Additionally,  IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, "To be sure, only courts can determine if an intermediary can lose its safe harbour protection and subsequently hold it liable for third-party content."

The ministry also requested social media companies to "put in place appropriate technology and processes for identifying information that may violate the provisions of rules and regulations or user agreement" in a February issued advisory.