India's Deepfake Regulation: A New Bill for Digital Media Integrity

A new Private Member's Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha, aims to regulate deepfake technology by mandating obtaining consent from depicted individuals and imposing penalties on misuse. The bill, proposed by Shrikant Shinde, seeks to protect privacy, national security, and public trust, while encouraging collaboration on detection technologies.

The Lok Sabha has witnessed the introduction of a Private Member's Bill focusing on the regulation of deepfakes. Initiated by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde, the bill aims to establish a legal framework around deepfake technology, ensuring prior consent for use and setting penalties for malicious dissemination.

Shinde highlights the rising misuse of deepfakes in harassment and misinformation, making urgent regulatory safeguards necessary. While pointing out the potential benefits of the technology in education and entertainment, the bill stresses its threats to personal privacy and public trust when abused.

The legislation proposes the creation of a Deepfake Task Force to address national security concerns and assess the impact on privacy and civic engagement. Collaboration with private and academic sectors is encouraged to develop content detection technology, alongside a fund promoting innovation in this area.