Summary
Actor Ranveer Singh has taken legal action against a deepfake video falsely depicting him endorsing a political party. The video, created using AI technology, manipulated genuine footage of Singh to fabricate statements criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urging support for the Congress party. Singh issued a cautionary message on social media, warning against the dangers of deepfakes. Legal proceedings have been initiated, with an investigation underway to identify those responsible for promoting the misleading video. This incident follows a similar case involving actor Aamir Khan, highlighting the growing threat of deepfake technology in elections globally.
Actor Ranveer Singh has taken legal action against the dissemination of a deepfake video that falsely depicted him endorsing a political party. The video, which garnered significant circulation across social media platforms, showcased Singh supposedly criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on issues of unemployment and inflation, before concluding with a call to support the Congress party.
The Origin of the Deepfake: The deepfake video originated from genuine footage of an interview Singh conducted with news agency ANI during his visit to Varanasi. However, the audio was manipulated using AI technology to fabricate Singh’s statements, highlighting the alarming sophistication of deepfake technology.
A Call to Vigilance: Reacting to the viral spread of the deepfake, Singh issued a cautionary message on Instagram, urging his followers to be wary of such deceptive content. “Deepfake se bacho doston (Friends, beware of deepfakes),” he emphasized, signaling the potential dangers posed by AI-generated misinformation.
Legal Response: In response to the unauthorized use of his likeness and fabricated statements, Singh’s team has taken swift legal action. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed, and an investigation is underway to identify the parties responsible for promoting the AI-generated deepfake video.
A Pattern Emerges: This incident follows a similar occurrence involving actor Aamir Khan, who also fell victim to a deepfake video promoting a political party. Khan’s spokesperson clarified that the actor has never endorsed any political party throughout his extensive career, emphasizing his commitment to non-partisan public awareness initiatives.
The Growing Threat of Deepfakes in Elections: The proliferation of deepfake videos featuring prominent figures underscores the potential impact of AI-generated content on electoral processes. While this case involves Indian actors, the use of deepfakes in elections is a global concern, with documented instances in countries such as the United States, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
International Precedent: Deepfakes have been increasingly utilized as tools of misinformation and manipulation in elections worldwide. From spreading false narratives to influencing voter sentiment, the use of AI-generated content poses significant challenges to the integrity of democratic processes.
As technology continues to evolve, so too do the threats it presents. The case of Ranveer Singh’s deepfake video serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by AI-generated misinformation and underscores the importance of vigilance in combating its spread.
The proliferation of deepfake videos underscores the potential impact of AI-generated content on electoral processes.
The article draws attention to the growing threat of deepfake technology in elections, highlighting the need for vigilance and legal recourse in addressing misinformation.
