Indian Government Issues Advisory to Combat Misinformation and Deepfakes on Social Media

In a proactive move to address the challenges posed by the proliferation of misinformation and deepfake content on social media, the Indian government has issued a new advisory to significant social media intermediaries. The advisory outlines several key measures aimed at preserving the safety and trust of digital citizens.

The advisory mandates social media intermediaries to:

1. Exercise due diligence and make reasonable efforts to identify misinformation and deepfake content, especially information that contravenes established rules, regulations, and user agreements.
2. Take swift and appropriate action against such cases, ensuring compliance with the timelines set forth in the IT Rules 2021.
3. Discourage users from hosting or sharing misinformation, deepfakes, or similar content.
4. Remove reported content within 36 hours of receiving a complaint.
5. Ensure expeditious action in line with the stipulated timeframes under the IT Rules 2021 and, if necessary, disable access to such content.

The advisory serves as a reminder to intermediaries that failure to adhere to the relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and Rules can have serious consequences. Non-compliance could result in the application of Rule 7 of the IT Rules 2021 and the loss of protection available under Section 79(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and trust of digital citizens. He highlighted the specific challenges posed by deepfakes, noting that they particularly harm women. The minister stressed the government’s dedication to ensuring the safety and trust of all citizens, with a special focus on protecting children and women from such content.

Chandrasekhar also underscored the legal obligations of online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation as per the IT Rules 2021. Platforms are required to remove such content within 36 hours upon receiving a report from either a user or a government authority. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in legal action under Rule 7 and the Indian Penal Code.

In conclusion, the minister encouraged individuals impacted by deepfake content to file First Information Reports (FIRs) at their nearest police stations and seek remedies provided under the IT Rules 2021. The advisory aims to empower online platforms to proactively combat the spread of misinformation and deepfakes, thereby enhancing the digital safety and trust of Indian citizens.