Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Maharashtra Government To Crack Down On Deep Fakes

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Friday directed the state Director General of Police (DGP) to take stern action against those involved in creating deepfake videos, clips, photos or other content and circulating it through social media / digital media during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The order comes days after the Mumbai police registered a case against several social media handles for allegedly sharing a deepfake video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Previously, in April, the Maharashtra Cyber police booked an ‘X’ user for uploading a deepfake video of actor Ranveer Singh appealing to vote for Congress.

Deep fakes, which utilise sophisticated technologies like Photoshop, Machine Learning (ML), or Artificial Intelligence (AI), involve the creation of misleading content that can severely impact public perception. During election periods, such manipulated content about candidates, political parties, or pertinent issues can circulate widely, leading to misinformation and defamation.

Officials have stated that deepfakes, made using technologies like Photoshop, Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence, can cause misleading, misinforming and defaming content that may impact public perception, especially during the election season. Hence, to combat this situation, the government along with the Election Commission (EC) has asked the state police to take rigorous actions against individuals involved in such misdeeds.

Three days ago, the Mumbai cyber police registered an FIR in connection with a deepfake video of Shah. In the said doctored video, Shah is seen addressing a rally in Telangana where in his speech he said that his government, after the victory, will end the SC, ST and OBC reservation. However, in reality, Shah said that his government would ‘end unconstitutional reservation’ given to the ‘Muslims’ as the rights belong to Telangana’s SC, ST and OBC.

In another video, Bollywood actor Amir Khan’s deepfake video went viral on social media where he is talking in support towards a political party. Shortly after, Khan’s team approached the Mumbai Police and registered a complaint. In another deepfake video, Ranveer Singh was seen requesting people not to vote for BJP. Singh took the matter to the Mumbai cyber police and registered a case against unknown people.