News Headlines
Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
In response to the widespread alarm and indignation triggered by a series of deepfake videos on social media, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced today (24 November) that the government will soon designate an officer to handle and take suitable action against such content.
He announced that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy) plans to create a website. This platform will allow users to report any concerns they may have about violations of IT rules.
According to NDTV, he further stated that MEITy will provide assistance to users in notifying them about any such violations and help them in the process of filing a First Information Report (FIR).
The minister stated that the FIR would be filed against the intermediary. However, if the intermediary reveals the origin of the content, the entity that posted the content will be the one against whom the case is filed.
Chandrasekhar stated that social media platforms are provided with a one-week deadline to adjust their terms of use in accordance with the IT rules. He declared that starting today, any breach of IT rules will not be tolerated.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concerns about the misuse of AI, specifically in the creation of deepfake videos, labeling it as a significant worry.
He cautioned, "In the era of Artificial Intelligence, the responsible use of technology is of utmost importance."
The government has stated that the production and distribution of deepfakes are subject to severe punishment, including a fine of Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment for three years.
Earlier this month, MEITy issued guidance to social media platforms, emphasising the legal consequences associated with deepfakes, including the potential penalties for their production and distribution.
Chandrasekhar asserted that online platforms are legally obliged to curb the proliferation of misinformation. He stated that they should promptly delete any reported misleading content within 36 hours of its reporting.
He further emphasised that they must act swiftly, adhering to the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules 2021, and restrict access to such content or information, as per the statement.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest