Rashmika Mandanna's deepfake creator arrested by Delhi Police: Report
What's the story
The Delhi Police on Saturday arrested the main culprit behind a deepfake video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna that went viral in November 2023. The police filed a case under Sections 465 and 469 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with forgery and defamation, as well as the Information Technology Act. The video in question featured British-Indian influencer Zara Patel entering a lift in a black outfit. Using deepfake technology, Patel's face was seamlessly replaced with that of Mandanna.
About the terminology
What is deepfake technology?
Deepfakes, a type of synthetic media, are created using artificial intelligence (AI) with the help of advanced algorithms to manipulate visual and audio elements. The term gained popularity in 2017 when a Reddit user introduced a platform for sharing such manipulated videos. Since then, deepfake technology has also become a potential tool for cybercriminals. Other celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif, have also been targeted by deepfake videos recently.
Details
Mandanna termed the deepfake 'extremely scary'
After Mandanna's deepfake video went viral last year, a journalist clarified that the woman in the clip was Patel, a data engineer, and not the actor. Later, Mandanna expressed her shock and concern over the development, calling it "extremely scary." She remarked, "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."
Twitter Post
Here's the video that went viral
🚨 There is an urgent need for a legal and regulatory framework to deal with deepfake in India.
— Abhishek (@AbhishekSay) November 5, 2023
You might have seen this viral video of actress Rashmika Mandanna on Instagram. But wait, this is a deepfake video of Zara Patel.
This thread contains the actual video. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/SidP1Xa4sT
Actions
Meanwhile, government took multi-faceted approach toward deepfakes
Following the incident, the Centre last year issued an advisory to social media platforms on legal provisions related to deepfakes. In December, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar engaged with the heads of online platforms to assess their efforts in combating misinformation and deepfakes. Additionally, he said the government was exploring the possibility of implementing stricter regulations under the Information Technology Act to address deepfake technology.
Incident
Similar case happened with Sachin Tendulkar
Recently, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also fell victim to deepfake technology. Per reports, a gaming app altered his video for a fake promotional campaign. After the video went viral, Tendulkar took to social media, stating, "These videos are fake. It is disturbing to see rampant misuse of technology." He encouraged people to report such content and urged social media platforms to be vigilant and responsive to complaints.