The threat posed by deepfakes to India’s electoral integrity is both real and immediate.
Author
Apoorv Agarwal, Assistant Lecturer, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
As India is amidst the 2024 general elections, deepfake technology poses a significant threat to the integrity of its democratic processes. The recent incident involving a deepfake video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, allegedly circulated by members of the opposition, highlights a burgeoning threat to electoral integrity in India. Moreover, earlier, deepfakes of popular stars like Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor were pictured saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had failed to keep campaign promises and address critical economic issues during his two terms. These episodes serve as a crucial wake-up call, prompting an urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate such threats. This piece explores the nature of deepfakes, the inadequacy of current regulations, the potential risks to electoral integrity, and the strategic measures necessary to combat these challenges.
Deepfakes
Deepfake technology employs sophisticated machine learning and generative artificial intelligence algorithms to synthesize human-like attributes in videos and audio clips. These advanced algorithms are capable of analysing extensive datasets that include countless examples of human facial expressions, vocal nuances, and body movements. By processing this data, the technology can generate audio-visual content that is extraordinarily realistic, making it nearly indistinguishable from genuine recordings.
Published in: Millennium Post
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