Centre to introduce Bill to address menace of deepfake videos in next Parliament session

Known as the Digital India Bill, the legislation will also examine ways to enhance the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, with efforts to garner support from all the parties before its introduction in Parliament, according to sources.

Further, there will be legislation to regulate videos on various online platforms, including YouTube.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will start on June 24 and end on July 3, followed by the Monsoon Session from July 22 to August 9.

Last year, then Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, indicated that the bill would be considered for enactment by the next government.

Deepfake technology has raised concerns due to its ability to create deceptive or misleading content, such as spreading false information, fabricating videos featuring public figures, and invading personal privacy.

In April this year, the Mumbai police registered a case against the Maharashtra Youth Congress' social media handle and 16 others for allegedly sharing a deep fake video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In the fabricated video, BJP leader Shah was purportedly seen announcing the curtailment of reservation rights for SCs, STs, and OBCs.