The Bombay High Court has ordered major technology firms, including Meta Platforms and Google LLC, to immediately take down AI-generated deepfake videos and manipulated digital media targeting Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, granting interim relief in a legal action filed by the minister.
Issuing the order on Wednesday, Justice Arif S. Doctor observed that the flagged material was defamatory, abusive, and unacceptable on public platforms accessed by all segments of society, including youth. The court mandated the digital platforms to remove all specified links, delete any re-uploaded iterations of the material, and act on any future deepfake content communicated to them by the minister.
Additionally, the High Court directed the technology platforms to disclose subscriber and user details associated with the accounts that uploaded the offending content.
Platform Commitments And Legal Claims
Legal representatives appearing for Meta Platforms and Google LLC assured the bench that their respective platforms would remove the flagged material. The lawsuit names Meta Platforms, Google LLC, X Corp, and unidentified publishers designated as John Doe or Ashok Kumar.
In his petition, Gadkari is seeking 11 crore rupees in damages over the unauthorized commercial and public use of his face, voice, name, and mannerisms. The suit identifies 26 specific links containing face-swap videos, AI-manipulated images, cartoons, and an unidentifiable Instagram reel linked to controversies surrounding ethanol-blended fuel policies.
The court filing clarified that the lawsuit does not seek to impede public discussion, fair criticism, or commentary regarding government policies or official actions, but aims specifically at stopping abusive deepfakes and personal defamation.
Arguments Over Intermediary Responsibilities
Advocate Sandeep S. Ladda, representing Gadkari, pressed for urgent intervention due to the swift recirculation of digital content once uploaded. He noted that several posts lacked identifiable user details, necessitating the inclusion of unknown entities as John Doe defendants.
Ladda argued that social media intermediaries are required to exercise due diligence and maintain effective oversight mechanisms as mandated by the Information Technology Rules to prevent the republication of harmful material.
During the hearing, the court questioned the defendant platforms regarding their automated policies and technological measures to detect and remove patently abusive content before it spreads across public domains.
