Deepfake Technology: All You Need to Know, Centre issues advisory to social media platforms over deepfakes, Rashmika Mandanna & Katrina Kaif Falls Victims

In an era of rapidly advancing technology, deepfake technology has emerged as a groundbreaking, yet controversial, development. This innovative and, at times, unsettling technology has garnered significant attention and concern due to its potential implications for our society.

Deepfakes are a type of artificial intelligence-driven technology that allows individuals to create incredibly realistic, manipulated videos and audio recordings. While this technology may have started with benign intentions, it has raised numerous ethical and social questions, prompting discussions worldwide.

Rashmika Mandanna & Advisory by Central Government

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has once again urged social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to swiftly remove AI-generated deepfake content, responding to the recent spread of a deepfake featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna. This advisory follows a prior notice in February. It reiterates existing legal requirements for these platforms as online intermediaries, citing Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, which can result in penalties, including imprisonment up to three years and fines up to Rs 1 lakh for cheating by personation using computer resources.

What are Deepfake?

Deepfakes are artificial videos made using digital software, machine learning, and face swapping. They combine images to fabricate events or statements, often indistinguishable from reality. Deepfakes employ deep learning AI, earning their name. They either swap one person’s face for another or generate entirely fictitious content, blurring the line between truth and manipulation.

Deepfake Technology: How Does It Work?

Deepfakes rely on facial recognition technology, akin to Snapchat filters but far more convincing. They employ a machine learning method called a “Generative Adversarial Network” (GAN). GAN can analyze numerous images of a person, such as Beyonce, and generate a realistic but unique image that resembles them. GAN can also create new audio from existing audio or fresh text from existing text, making it versatile. Deepfake technology maps faces using key “landmark” points, like eye corners, nostrils, and jawline contours, enabling it to produce highly realistic and deceptive videos, audio, and text.

The Controversial Nature of Deepfakes

Deepfake have raised concerns in many areas, including politics, entertainment, and personal privacy. The ability to create convincing video clips of politicians saying or doing things they never actually did has the potential to disrupt political landscapes and spread disinformation. Celebrities and public figures are also at risk of deepfake impersonation, potentially damaging their reputations and causing public outrage.

Personal privacy is another significant concern. Deepfake technology can be used to manipulate images and videos of individuals, making them appear as if they are engaging in activities they never participated in. This poses a severe risk to people’s reputations, relationships, and overall well-being.

The rise of deepfake technology has also affected journalism and media outlets. With the ability to create convincing fake news reports and interviews, journalists face the challenge of verifying the authenticity of the content they publish. This threatens the credibility of news sources and can further erode public trust in journalism.

Deepfake How to Detect?

Detecting deepfakes requires critical thinking. When encountering online content, ask key questions:

Intent and Source: Why is this shared, and who’s sharing it?
Source Verification: Find the original source and assess its credibility.
Context: Consider when and where the video was recorded.
Unusual Content: Watch for unexpected behavior or statements.
Agenda: Analyze if the video serves a particular agenda or benefits someone.

By approaching online content with these questions in mind, you can better distinguish between authentic and manipulated videos, helping you stay informed and vigilant against deepfake threats.

In Conclusion

Deepfake technology is a double-edged sword, capable of both remarkable creativity and severe harm. Its impact on society is profound, prompting discussions on ethical considerations, legal frameworks, and personal security. As technology continues to advance, it is imperative that we collectively address the challenges presented by deepfakes while preserving the values of transparency, truth, and personal privacy in our digital age. Stay informed, be cautious, and be prepared to face the future of deepfake technology with both optimism and vigilance.

You can also read: