• India's government warns social media firms to repeatedly remind users of local laws prohibiting deepfakes and harmful content.
• Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar says companies must raise awareness of the rules through regular reminders.
• The government's warning comes amid growing concerns over deepfakes and their potential negative impacts.

India Warns Social Media Giants Against Deepfakes and Harmful Content

In a stern warning, India's Deputy IT Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, cautioned social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, on Friday, urging them to enforce local laws prohibiting the dissemination of deepfakes and content that spreads obscenity or misinformation. Despite regulations introduced in 2022, many companies have reportedly not updated their usage terms to align with the rules prohibiting content deemed harmful to children, obscene, or involving impersonation.

Growing Concerns Over Deepfakes Prompt Government Action

The warning comes in response to escalating concerns over deepfakes, hyper-realistic videos generated by artificial intelligence algorithms trained on online content. Reflecting the gravity of the situation, a top minister disclosed that India is in the process of formulating regulations to address the deepfake issue.

Minister's "Non-Negotiable" Demand Sparks Compliance

During a closed-door meeting, Chandrasekhar emphasized that companies must actively remind users of the rules against posting prohibited content, either through login prompts or periodic reminders. The minister declared this a "non-negotiable" demand, hinting at potential directives if compliance is not voluntarily ensured.

Platforms Agree to Align Guidelines with Government Rules

In a subsequent press statement, India's IT ministry announced that all platforms had committed to aligning their content guidelines with government regulations. Notably, Alphabet Inc's YouTube and Facebook did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

Prime Minister Modi Raises Deepfake Concerns Globally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concerns over deepfakes, called for global leaders to collaboratively regulate AI during a G20 virtual summit. This highlights the urgency felt globally in addressing the negative societal impacts of deepfake technology.

India Tightens Grip on Social Media Regulations

As India tightens regulations on social media companies, a top growth market for such platforms, the government's proactive stance underscores its commitment to combatting the spread of misinformation. The move follows the government's previous criticism of social media companies for alleged lapses in content moderation, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight.