7-day deadline for social media platforms to tackle deepfakes: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology of India, Rajeev Chandrasekhar told the media that a meeting was convened with some of the key digital platforms or intermediaries in India to raise the issue of deepfakes. He said that an officer would be soon appointed by the Centre to take action against the menace.

He also said that a website will be developed on which users can report IT rule violations. Meity will also help them to file FIRs against such content.

The FIR will be filed against the digital platform. If they help in identifying the source of the content, the case will be filed against the perpetrator who posted it.

Chandrasekhar also told the media that the existing rules have clear provisions to deal with deepfakes. He said that the intermediaries have been given seven days' time to align themselves with the IT rules, adding that there will be zero tolerance for violations.

Deepfakes and other disconcerting content should be removed within 36 hours of reporting. It is the "legal obligation" of intermediaries to prevent the spread of misinformation, he said.

Creation and circulation of deepfakes can invite a penalty of ₹ 1 lakh and three years in prison.

While speaking earlier about the deepfake menace this month, Chandrasekhar said, “Safety and trust of our Digital Nagriks is our unwavering commitment and top priority for the Narendra Modi Government. Given the significant challenges posed by misinformation and deepfakes, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has issued a second advisory within the last six months, calling upon online platforms to take decisive actions against the spread of deepfakes.”

The minister added that deepfakes are a major violation and harm women in particular.

He said, “It is a legal obligation for online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation by any user under the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021. They are further mandated to remove such content within 36 hours upon receiving a report from either a user or government authority. Failure to comply with this requirement invokes Rule 7, which empowers aggrieved individuals to take platforms to court under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It is imperative that platforms take proactive measures to combat this threat.”

“For those who find themselves impacted by deepfakes, I strongly encourage you to file First Information Reports (FIRs) at your nearest police station and avail the remedies provided under the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021,” the minister said.