Alia Bhatt becomes deepfake victim. Amid consternation and widespread outrage triggered by a succession of deepfake videos, the esteemed actor Alia Bhatt has unfortunately become the latest addition to the roster of celebrities ensnared by this disconcerting technology. This unsettling trend had previously affected other luminaries such as Rashmika Mandanna, Kajol, Katrina Kaif, and Sara Tendulkar, causing a ripple of apprehension regarding the potential misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The most recent video, featuring a woman with a digitally altered visage resembling Alia Bhatt, exhibits explicit and offensive gestures, intensifying the gravity of the situation.
The proliferation of these manipulated videos has ignited significant concern about the susceptibility of public figures to falsified content and the formidable capabilities of AI to craft deepfakes capable of deceiving the global audience.
In response to this burgeoning issue, the Central government has emphasized the severe consequences associated with the creation and dissemination of deepfakes, imposing a hefty penalty of ₹1 lakh and a potential three-year jail term.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar recently announced that the government will promptly appoint an officer tasked with taking appropriate action against such malicious content. He underscored that existing laws and regulations possess explicit provisions to address the menace of deepfakes.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) is slated to develop a dedicated website where users can report concerns related to violations of IT rules. Mr. Chandrasekhar elucidated that Meity will actively assist users in flagging violations and guide them through the process of filing a First Information Report (FIR).
This proactive stance aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent acknowledgment of the misuse of AI in fabricating deepfake videos, characterizing it as a "big concern." He emphasized the imperative need for responsible technology use during the era of Artificial Intelligence.
As the nation grapples with this technological challenge, the government's commitment to stringent measures and public awareness is a crucial step towards mitigating the adverse effects of deepfake proliferation.