A government meeting on addressing the issue of deepfakes concluded with the decision to introduce regulations at the earliest.
New Delhi:
In a key meeting on the issue of deepfakes, which has been flagged by Prime Minister and several celebrities, it has been decided that the government will bring in regulation at the earliest and attempts will be made to have a draft ready within a few weeks.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting with social media platforms and companies working on artificial intelligence tools on Thursday, IT Minister said deepfakes have emerged as a new threat to democracy, and accountability for such content will lie both with creators and the platforms on which it has been hosted. He said the government will also look at penalties for both creators and platforms.
The minister said four key issues were discussed at the meeting: how deepfakes can be detected; whether and how people can be prevented from posting deepfakes and whether such content can be stopped from going viral; how a reporting mechanism can be implemented so users on any app or website can alert the platform and the authorities about a deepfake so that action can be taken; and increasing awareness among the public, for which he said the government, industry and the media will need to work together.
He asserted that accountability will lie both with the creators of deepfakes and the platforms hosting them. He said the regulations could be introduced in the form of new rules, a new law or an amendment to existing rules.
Global Content, Penalties
The minister pointed out that the digital world does not have physical boundaries but content created anywhere in the world will have to abide by Indian laws if it is shown to people in the country.
Asked whether penalties will be imposed for deepfakes that cause harm, said the government will look into this aspect both for creators and platforms while drafting the regulations.
The minister said it has been decided that the next meeting will be held in the first week of December and the government will take stock of the follow-up actions taken on the issues which were discussed on Thursday. He added that social media companies and platforms have assured the government that, until then, they will take all possible steps to tackle deepfakes as per their policies and guidelines.
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