Social Impacts of Deepfakes

Source: The post trust is crucial for technology adoption has been created, based on the article “Curb deepfake velocity, vulnerability and viciousness” published in “Live mint” on 15th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security – Challenges to Internal Security through Communication Networks, Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges.

Context: The article discusses how trust is crucial for technology adoption. Deepfakes, which spread quickly and are harmful, erode this trust. It highlights the legal and societal challenges deepfakes pose and suggests regulations, responsibilities for tech platforms, and support for victims. Social Impacts of Deepfakes

For detailed information on Rise of deepfake read this article here

What are Social Impacts of Deepfakes?

Trust is essential for the adoption of technology because it ensures users feel secure and confident in using new innovations.

Deepfakes erode trust by creating believable fake content that spreads rapidly on social media, causing severe harm.

Women and children are frequent targets of deepfakes, facing significant psychological distress.

Deepfakes can manipulate evidence, threatening the judiciary and leading to wrongful convictions.

They undermine user-verification methods like facial recognition, critical for services in India.

Deepfakes spread misinformation, impacting democratic processes. The World Economic Forum’s 2024 risk report highlights misinformation as a critical global risk.

What are the legal challenges related to deepfakes in India?

Sections 66D, 66E, 67, 67A, and 67B of the IT Act penalize impersonation and obscene material but do not fully address deepfakes.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act could be more effective if it included reputational loss in its definition of “loss.”

Data fiduciaries are required to notify individuals of data breaches but need stricter measures like disabling private-media downloads.

Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Guidelines mandates social media to identify originators of harmful content, but platforms like WhatsApp and Meta contest this, citing privacy concerns.

The Anil Kapoor vs. Simply Life India case highlights privacy and publicity rights violations by deepfakes.

For detailed information on legal provisions exist against deepfakes in India read this article here

What should be done?

Social media platforms must limit the spread of deepfake content and crack down on bots amplifying misinformation.

Tech developers should incorporate consistent labeling features to identify artificial content, as suggested by the Union IT ministry’s advisory.

Implement mandatory user verification for content creation to establish accountability.

Provide clear legal paths and psychological support for deepfake victims.

Criminalize the creation of non-consensual deepfakes, like the proposed UK law.

Invest in media literacy efforts and promote responsible digital citizenship to help individuals critically evaluate online content and identify deepfakes.

Question for practice:

Examine the impact of deepfakes on trust in technology adoption and the legal challenges they present in India.