Here’s the thing about rules and technology: the technology is always one step ahead, meaning the rules are playing catch-up. This is true everywhere, whether we think back to when the internet became common, the social media explosion, or the current deepfake trend. The technology always comes first, and then the rules try to catch up. However, it’s better late than never.
Let me tell you what the Indian government is doing today. The IT Minister of India held talks with social media companies and gave them a deadline of 7 days to address the problem of deepfakes. The minister expects 100% compliance from these platforms and looks forward to working with them to be more responsible, responsive, and compliant with the law.
The IT ministry is also making two changes to tackle deepfakes. First, a special officer will be appointed to register complaints. You can complain to that officer if you spot a deepfake on the internet. Second, a dedicated website will be launched to help you file FIRs (First Information Reports) against entities posting deepfakes, whether they are individuals, groups, or platforms. The idea is to make it easy to flag Deepfakes on social media.
But that’s not all. More rules and regulations are in the pipeline. The government plans to unveil a comprehensive plan in the next 10 days. New Delhi is on the offensive, aiming to limit the spread of deepfakes. However, the question remains: Can Deepfakes be prevented?
Sony might have a solution. They are developing an in-camera authenticity technology, which can be thought of as a digital signature for every photo you click. If a photo doesn’t have this signature, it could be a deepfake. Sony has conducted two rounds of tests and is collaborating with the news agency, Associated Press. While details about the technology are scarce, reports suggest that the leadership is hopeful. The plan is to roll out this feature by 2024.
However, relying solely on this technology might not be enough. Most people use smartphones to click pictures, not professional cameras. The question is whether this feature can be easily replicated and introduced in low-cost phones as well. If not, it will be a limited solution, and more work needs to be done.
Deepfakes must be identified and removed before they go viral. This is the challenge for social media platforms, similar to the challenge of tackling hate speech. It’s not just about taking them down; it’s about taking them down quickly. Fortunately, governments are thinking about this issue. Just last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about deepfakes and mentioned that they could cause major disturbances. India’s IT Ministry is now considering deepfakes as a new threat to democracy. The focus is on creating the right rules and seeking the right technological solutions, as rules alone cannot solve this problem. Only a combination of both can effectively tackle Deepfakes.