Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: ET
Context: A deepfake video of Rashmika Mandanna (actress) entering an elevator sparked outrage online, later debunked by a journalist revealing it featured British influencer Zara Patel.
What are Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are digital media – video, audio, and images edited and manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inflict harm on individuals and institutions. It can be exploited to damage the reputation, fabricate evidence, defraud the public, and undermine trust in democratic institutions with fewer resources.
Deepfake is a blend of ‘deep learning‘ (a subset of machine learning using artificial neural networks) and ‘fake.’
What countries are doing to combat deep fakes:
| Country | Actions Taken |
| China | The new policy requires explicit labelling and traceability of doctored content using deepfake technology. |
| Prohibits the production of deep fakes without user consent | |
| European Union | The updated Code of Practice mandates tech companies like Google, Meta, and Twitter to counter deepfakes on their platforms. |
| United States | Deepfake Task Force Act assists the Department of Homeland Security in countering deepfake technology. |
| Bletchley Declaration | Twenty-eight major countries call for collective action to address the potential risks of AI, including deepfakes. |
| Google introduces tools like watermarking to identify synthetic content. | |
| Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace | Global initiative to enhance trust and security, including addressing challenges posed by deepfakes. |
| Global Partnership on AI | Collaborative effort among countries to ensure responsible AI development, including dealing with deepfakes. |
| Legal provisions in India | No specific laws against deepfake technology, but Section 66E of the IT Act of 2000 and the Indian Copyright Act of 1957 address related issues. |
