Deepfake Technology Escalation
Source: Why has the govt. issued a directive on deepfakes? (The Hindu, November 10, 2023)
On November 8, the Indian authorities demanded that “social media intermediaries” take down manipulated videos, known as deepfakes, within a day of receiving complaints. This directive aligns with the IT Rules of 2021. The move was a response to counterfeit videos of celebrities like Rashmika Mandanna and Katrina Kaif appearing within a week’s time.
Understanding Deepfakes
The phenomenon of deepfakes began in 2017. These are images, videos, or audio segments that are manipulated using advanced AI called deep learning. The concept gained traction when a Reddit user applied AI software to superimpose celebrities’ faces onto adult film actors. By 2023, this technology has advanced so much that even those with little to no skill can generate convincing fake media.
The Rise in Malicious Use
Cybersecurity experts have noted a dramatic increase in the malicious use of deepfakes. Cybercriminals are adopting this technology quickly. According to the security firm Cyfirma, there’s been a 230% surge in deepfake incidents. They predict deepfakes could soon become more common than traditional phishing scams.
Understanding Deepfake Technology
Deepfakes are fake videos or images created using AI. People’s faces or voices are copied onto others in these videos. A key AI method used is called a GAN, or generative adversarial network.
- How Deepfakes Are Made: AI software learns how a person moves and talks from videos or photos. It uses lots of these to make a new, fake video. This video looks very real.
- The Process: There are two steps. One software makes the video. Another checks for signs it’s fake. They work together until the fake can’t be spotted. This is unsupervised learning. It’s when AI teaches itself. It makes spotting deepfakes hard.
What do laws in India say about deepfakes?
India’s IT Rules, 2021 require that all content reported to be fake or produced using deep fake be taken down by intermediary platforms within 36 hours.
The Indian IT ministry has also issued notices to social media platforms stating that impersonating online was illegal under Section 66D of the Information Technology Act of 2000. The IT Rules, 2021, also prohibit hosting any content that impersonates another person and requires social media firms to take down artificially morphed images when alerted.
Why do people create deepfake content?
The technology could potentially be used to incite political violence, sabotage elections, unsettle diplomatic relations, and spread misinformation. This technology can also be used to humiliate and blackmail people or attack organisations by presenting false evidence. However, deepfakes have positive usages as well. The technology has been used by the ALS Association in collaboration with a company to use voice-cloning technology to help people with ALS digitally recreate their voices in the future.
How have other countries reacted?
The EU has issued guidelines for the creation of an independent network of fact-checkers to help analyse the sources and processes of content creation. The U.S. has also introduced the bipartisan Deepfake Task Force Act to counter deepfake technology.