The Maharashtra government on Friday directed the state police to take stern action against those creating deepfakes, saying such content is a cause for concern amid the poll season.

According to an official release, the number of deepfakes and doctored photos being circulated on social media and digital media has risen during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024.

In light of the surge in deepfake videos, photos, and other content during the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Maharashtra Government has announced stringent measures to combat these malpractices. The State Government has also issued directives to the Director General of Police to address the dissemination of such content through social media and digital platforms.

Deepfake videos, photos, and other content, which utilize sophisticated technologies such as Photoshop, Machine Learning (ML), or Artificial Intelligence (AI), entail the production of deceptive material that can significantly influence public opinion. The Maharashtra Government emphasised in a statement that during the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, the dissemination of such manipulated content concerning candidates, political parties, or critical topics could proliferate extensively, resulting in misinformation and defamation.

Acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the State Government has enforced stringent measures in accordance with the law against individuals engaged in producing and disseminating deepfakes. “The objective is to uphold a fair and transparent electoral process. The Election Commission has also stressed the importance of combating misinformation in its recent guidelines,” stated the Maharashtra government.

“Directions have been given to the Director General of Police by the State Government and the Maharashtra Police Department is set to enforce these directives to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process,” the statement said.

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