Government of India Steps Up to Combat Deepfakes and Cyber Threats

In the age of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology, ensuring a safe, trusted, and accountable digital space is a pressing concern for nations worldwide. India, with its vast digital footprint, has recognised the risks posed by the misuse of technology and is actively implementing legal and institutional frameworks to counter cyber threats and misinformation.

The IT Act: A Foundation for Cybersecurity

The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), along with its subsequent rules, lays the groundwork for India’s efforts to regulate cyberspace. This legislation criminalises a range of cyber offences such as identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations, and the dissemination of obscene or exploitative material.

Importantly, the IT Act extends to information created using artificial intelligence or other technologies. This ensures that AI-generated content, including deepfakes, is not exempt from accountability under Indian law.

IT Rules 2021: Strengthening Intermediary Accountability

In a move to adapt to the evolving digital environment, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were introduced. These rules place clear responsibilities on digital intermediaries, especially social media platforms, including:

• Not hosting, storing, or publishing any unlawful content.
• Acting promptly to remove flagged content as per grievance redressal protocols.
• Addressing content that spreads misinformation, incites violence, or poses a threat to national integrity.

The rules empower users to file complaints with platform grievance officers. If dissatisfied with the response, users can escalate the issue to the Grievance Appellate Committees (GAC) viawww.gac.gov.in.

Tackling Deepfakes Through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Recognising the growing misuse of deepfake technology, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been proactively engaging with stakeholders and digital platforms. These consultations have led to the issuance of advisories reminding intermediaries of their obligations to counter synthetic and manipulated media.

Such advisories serve to reinforce the compliance expectations outlined in the IT Rules, especially regarding malicious and misleading content created using AI.

CERT-In: Frontline Defence Against Cyber Threats

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) plays a central role in India’s cyber protection strategy. It issues frequent alerts on:

• Emerging cyber threats, including AI-driven attacks.
• Safety measures to counter deepfakes and adversarial AI tools.
• Phishing, vishing, and social engineering campaigns.

In November 2024, CERT-In released a specific advisory on deepfake threats, offering guidance on prevention and mitigation. Additionally, in May 2023, it published a comprehensive advisory on minimising AI-based risks.

Awareness and Public Engagement

CERT-In has also ramped up public outreach with initiatives such as:

• Cyber Swachhta Kendra – Offers tools to detect and remove malware.
• Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) – Organised annually in October with activities like webinars and quizzes.
• Swachhta Pakhwada and Cyber Jagrookta Diwas – Recurring awareness drives targeting both the public and technical communities.

These efforts aim to build a vigilant digital society where citizens are empowered to identify and report cyber threats.

Coordinated Policing via I4C and Citizen Portals

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to streamline enforcement efforts across states and law enforcement agencies.

Citizens can report cybercrimes, including financial fraud and deepfake-related offences, through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in). Additionally, the toll-free number 1930 provides real-time assistance for reporting online frauds.

Conclusion

India’s response to the growing menace of deepfakes and digital misinformation is multifaceted—spanning regulation, collaboration, public awareness, and enforcement. As technology evolves, so too does the government’s approach, ensuring that cyberspace remains secure, trustworthy, and inclusive for all users.

The initiatives reflect a broader commitment to safeguarding digital rights while holding intermediaries accountable—a crucial balance in the digital age.

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