Now, Kajol's deepfake video surfaces, PM Modi flags 'big concern' over menace

Calling deep fake videos a matter of “big concern”, PM Modi pointed out that he has asked the ChatGpt team to flag deepfakes and issue a warning when such videos are circulated on the internet. Highlighting the increasing misuse of artificial intelligence to create these videos, PM Modi also gave the example of deep fake videos like the one he recently saw of him “singing a garba song”.

“There are many other such videos online," reiterated PM Modi, during the Diwali Milan programme at the party’s HQ. He also said that in the times of artificial intelligence, it is important that technology should be used responsibly.

PM Modi also urged members of the media to educate the public about the adverse consequences linked to deploying artificial intelligence to spread possibly damaging content, which includes the creation of deep fakes leading to the misrepresentation of individuals.

PM Modi’s remarks come at a time after deepfake videos featuring Rashmika Mandanna first surfaced online. Many celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan too expressed their grave concern about this trend and demanded legal action. Eventually, a case has been registered by the Delhi police, who have already grilled a youth from Bihar as they suspect him of uploading the Mandanna video first online.

Kajol in deep fake video

The most recent disturbingly digitally altered video to pop up on the internet features Bollywood actor Kajol.

In the video, the woman with Kajol’s face morphed on her body is seen changing her clothes on camera. But, according to reports quoting fact-checking platforms such as BoomLive, the woman in the video is a British social media influencer Rosie Breen. She had originally posted this particular clip as part of the popular GRWE (‘Get Ready with Me’) lifestyle videos on TikTok.

Fact-checking websites have warned that in Kajol's video, AI tools were used to manipulate and replace her face. In the video, Breen's face has been replaced by Kajol's and it seems like the actress is changing outfits and showing off her body on camera.

Unreliable information

In Rashmika Mandanna’s case too, her face was morphed and edited in a way that it resembled the actor. Several social media users pointed out that the video is fake, raising questions on how "unreliable" information is spreading unchecked on the internet. The original video was that of British-Indian influencer Zara Patel, who walks into a lift wearing a black outfit with a plunging neckline. She said in a statement on Instagram that she was ''deeply disturbed'' and ''upset'' by the incident.

Patel said that she worried about the future of women and girls who now have to fear even more about putting themselves on social media. “Please take a step back and fact-check what you see on the internet. Not everything on the internet is real," she added.

In Katrina Kaif’s case however, a digitally altered image of the actress from a much-talked fight scene from her recent film, 'Tiger 3', went viral. In the original scene, Kaif is dressed in a towel but the edited version shows her wearing a low-cut white top and a matching bottom.

Deep violation

Meanwhile, the ministry of electronics and IT has issued guidelines to social media platforms asking them not to host such content/deep fakes and remove them within 36 hours after it has been reported.

The Union minister of state for electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "Deepfakes are a major violation and harm women in particular." He urged people impacted by deepfakes to file First Information Reports (FIRs) at their nearest police station and avail the remedies provided under the Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021.

According to the Centre, the creation and circulation of deepfakes carry a penalty of ₹ 1 lakh in fine and three years in jail.