Introduction:
The recent emergence of a Deepfake video featuring an Indian actress has fueled public concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create highly realistic, yet entirely fabricated videos, famously known as ‘Deepfakes’. The rapidly advancing technology has raised multiple ethical and social issues.
Understanding Deepfake Technology
Deepfakes are synthetic media generated or manipulated using AI to form visual and auditory content, typically with the motive to deceive or mislead individuals. These fakes are produced using a procedure called Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), which includes two rival neural networks: a generator and a discriminator. The generator aims to fabricate fake images or videos that look authentic, while the discriminator works to distinguish between real and counterfeit ones. The generator gradually hones its outputs based on the feedback from the discriminator until it can deceive it. Deepfakes rely on considerable data, like pictures or videos, of the source and target person which is often obtained from the internet or social media without their permission.
Deep Synthesis and Positive Applications
Deepfakes form a part of Deep Synthesis, a concept employing technologies such as deep learning and augmented reality to generate text, images, audio and video, aiming to develop virtual scenes. Deep learning technology has paved the way for numerous beneficial advancements, including restoring lost voices, recreating historical figures, enhancing medical training, and boosting artistic expression in comedy, cinema, music, and gaming industry.
The Dark Side of Deepfakes
Despite its positive uses, Deepfakes pose a significant threat due to potential misuse for malicious purposes. They can be used for spreading propaganda, influencing elections, blackmailing individuals or organizations, damaging reputations and credibility, and creating non-consensual pornography. Deepfakes can lead to various damages, such as eroding trust in institutions and undermining the rule of law and human rights.
Detection and Prevention
Preventing the misuse of Deepfake technology involves looking for visual and audio inconsistencies in media, using reverse image search to identify the original source, utilizing AI-based tools for analyzing the quality and authenticity of the images or videos, employing digital watermarking or blockchain strategies for verifying the source, and educating oneself and others about the implications of deepfake technologies.
Global Approaches to Deepfake Regulation
Several countries across the globe have adopted diverse strategies to regulate the use of Deepfake technology. While India lacks specific laws regulating Deepfakes, existing laws encompass provisions that can be applied to certain aspects of deep fakes. Other countries like the US and China have introduced specific acts and regulations for countering the misuse of Deepfake technology. Big tech companies, like Meta and Google, have announced measures to address the issue, such as introducing tools to identify synthetic content.
Charting A Way Forward
The way forward includes developing comprehensive laws specifically targeting deepfakes, enhancing public awareness about potential risks, adopting technical solutions that can detect, prevent, and remove deepfakes, promoting ethical and responsible use of deep learning technology, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders to tackle the challenges posed by deepfakes.
Legal Insight: Indian Laws against Deepfake Technology
In the context of Indian laws safeguarding society against Deepfake technology, India has invoked a global framework on the expansion of “ethical” AI tools. Existing laws like the Information Technology Act (2000) and the Indian Penal Code (1860) offer provisions relevant to specific aspects of Deepfakes. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act offers some protection against the misuse of personal data. Otherwise, India needs to develop a comprehensive legal framework specifically targeting Deepfakes, considering its potential implications for privacy, social stability, national security, and democracy.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Question
A previous year question from UPSC Civil Services Examination Mains asked about the main socio-economic implications that the development of IT industries has on major cities of India.