The Delhi High Court on Monday extended the deadline for a special committee to submit a comprehensive report on the regulation of deepfake technology, setting a new hearing date for July 21. The committee, established by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on November 20, 2024, is tasked with addressing the burgeoning challenges posed by deepfakes.
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela presided over the session, urging the committee to incorporate suggestions from the petitioners into their deliberations. “By the next date, we expect that the committee shall complete the deliberations and submit its report,” stated the bench.
The court’s decision came during hearings on three separate petitions highlighting the dangers and lack of regulation surrounding deepfake technology. This technology allows for the creation of highly realistic videos, audio, and images that can dramatically alter a person’s appearance and actions, often used to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion.
During the session, the counsel for MeitY presented a status report, indicating that the committee had convened twice but required additional time to thoroughly explore the complexities of the issue. The request for a three-month extension was granted to ensure a thorough examination and formulation of effective regulatory measures.
Among the petitioners, journalist Rajat Sharma has called for stringent controls over deepfake technology, including blocking public access to applications and software that facilitate its creation. Sharma, who is the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Independent News Service Private Limited (INDIA TV), filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) arguing that deepfakes pose a severe threat to societal integrity, promoting misinformation and undermining democratic processes.
Another petitioner, lawyer Chaitanya Rohilla, has raised concerns about the unregulated use of artificial intelligence in creating deepfakes, echoing the need for oversight to prevent misuse.
