Vantage | Why Rashmika Mandanna's deepfake is a wakeup call for all

In a world where the adage “seeing is believing” has been a fundamental principle for generations, the advent of deepfake technology is challenging the very essence of truth. Deepfakes are AI-generated media, primarily videos, that seamlessly manipulate the faces and voices of individuals, often with malicious intent. There are growing concerns surrounding deepfake technology, its potential consequences and the legal gaps in addressing this issue, with a focus on the case of Rashmika Mandanna. Rise of deepfakes Deepfakes, a portmanteau of “deep learning” and “fake”, have rapidly emerged as a powerful tool in the digital age. With the help of artificial intelligence, these sophisticated creations can alter a person’s appearance and voice in videos, effectively replacing one individual with another. It’s as easy as having a software application and access to photos of the person you want to target. Deepfakes began as simple face swaps but have since evolved into a menace, used for various malicious purposes. In 2019, over 15,000 deepfake videos were found online, with a staggering 96 per cent containing adult content and 99 per cent involving female celebrities’ faces mapped onto pornographic material. Dark side of deepfakes The sinister side of deepfakes is their potential for exploitation, blackmail and character assassination, as exemplified in the case of Rashmika Mandanna. Victims of deepfake manipulation can find themselves in compromising and distressing situations and the consequences can be severe. As AI-generated nude photos of teenagers shocked Spain, it became evident that young women were losing their agency as their faces and bodies were digitally stolen and used without consent. “Something like this is honestly, extremely scary not only for me, but also for each one of us who today is vulnerable to so much harm because of how technology is being misused,” tweeted Mandanna. “Today, as a woman and as an actor, I am thankful for my family, friends and well wishers who are my protection and support system. But if this happened to me when I was in school or college, I genuinely can’t imagine how could I ever tackle this,” she said. Legal response to deepfakes As the threat of deepfakes becomes more apparent, some countries have enacted laws to combat their spread. South Korea, for example, has made it illegal to distribute deepfakes, carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. The European Union has also imposed substantial fines on deepfake providers. In India, however, there is no specific law addressing the issue of deepfakes. Instead, Section 66E of the IT Act of 2000 can be applied, which deals with capturing and publishing a person’s images on mass media, violating their privacy. This offence is punishable with imprisonment for up to three years. Additionally, social media platforms are required to take down reported deepfake content within 36 hours. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan called for legal action while India’s IT minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar commented on the issue, advocating for strict action by social media platforms. Challenge of enforcing the law While some legal provisions exist, they are often insufficient to address the rapidly evolving threat of deepfakes. Even when reported, the 36-hour time frame for removal on social media platforms can be too late, as the damage is already done. Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, leaving laws trailing behind. Deepfakes represent a growing concern in the digital age as they threaten privacy, reputation and security. As technology races ahead, it is imperative that legal frameworks catch up to effectively combat the menace of deepfakes. Stricter laws and enforcement mechanisms are essential to protect individuals, including public figures like Rashmika Mandanna, from the malicious consequences of this technology, ensuring that “seeing is believing” remains a reliable principle in our society. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.