Videos of President Biden, manipulated to portray him as mentally and physically unfit for office, have sparked debate over media ethics and political manipulation. The White House calls these videos ‘cheap fakes,’ highlighting their deceptive nature and the potential impact on public perception. The ongoing debate underscores the challenge for Democrats in countering misinformation as the US presidential election approaches.
Maharashtra Police’s cyber cell has registered an FIR against an individual for uploading an AI-generated video featuring actor Ranveer Singh endorsing a political party. The video, which was manipulated from Ranveer’s recent interview in Varanasi, sparked concerns about the proliferation of deepfake videos. Ranveer’s father, Jagjit Singh Bhavnani, filed a complaint alleging that the video was false and that Ranveer has no affiliation with any political party. The FIR underscores the severity of the offense and highlights the potential impact of deepfake technology on public opinion.
As India’s mammoth election unfolds, deepfake technology has emerged as a potential game-changer, with politicians clamoring for its services. Divyendra Singh Jadoun, known as the “Indian Deepfaker,” has encountered numerous requests for unethical uses of deepfakes, including the fabrication of incriminating audio and pornographic images of opponents. Despite his ethical stance against such practices, Jadoun anticipates that many consultants will succumb to these pressures, potentially distorting reality in an election involving over half a billion voters. This incident highlights the urgent need for regulations and ethical guidelines to prevent deepfake-induced chaos in elections, as individuals like Jadoun bear the burden of making responsible choices in the absence of proper oversight.
