In a relief to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a Mohali court has ordered YouTube, Telegram and Instagram to immediately remove all objectionable AI-generated deepfake videos that were aimed at defaming him within 24 hours/ at defaming Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The court also warned that failing to comply with the order will lead to legal action against these social media platforms, reported Indian Express.
“All digital platforms must promptly delete or block any similar or derivative objectionable content as soon as they are notified by the Cyber Crime Wing,” the court order read, as per the report. The court has asked all online platforms to submit a compliance report within 10 days.
This is not the first time when warning has been issued to social media platforms. Previously, similar directions were issued to Facebook and Google, instructing them to block such posts.
What is the case?
A fake video of the Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, created using artificial intelligence, was allegedly uploaded from an account of Jagman Samra. The Cyber crime police registered a case after the video went viral, under sections 340, 353(1), 353(2), 351(2), and 336(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the IT Act based on the statement of Inspector Gaganpreet Singh of the Cyber Crime Wing.
Despite the FIR, as per Indian Express, Samra continued uploading five such videos from two separate accounts. In one of the posts, he challenged authorities and wrote, “This is just the trailer. Anyone who proves this video is AI-generated will get a $1 million reward.”
Officials probing the case found that Samra’s social media account is an old one with over 35,000 followers, and efforts are underway to trace other accounts. Several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have filed complaints at various police stations across the state, demanding strict action against those spreading the fake videos targeting the chief minister.
The Cyber Crime police have also written to Facebook and Instagram, requesting immediate removal of the deepfake videos and attached a copy of the FIR for reference.
