Govt’s Draft Deepfake Rules Face Industry Backlash
The Indian government’s draft guidelines to regulate AI-generated deepfakes have drawn sharp criticism from tech leaders, who argue the rules are impractical and threaten innovation. The proposal by MeitY requires labeling synthetic content and penalizing non-compliance, but experts call it overly restrictive.
Key Provisions of the Draft Rules
The guidelines mandate:
– Clear labeling of AI-manipulated content
– Removal of harmful deepfakes by platforms
– Legal consequences for violators
While aimed at curbing misinformation and privacy violations, industry players say the rules lack clear implementation pathways.
4 Reasons Industry Calls Rules “Unworkable”
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) – representing Google, Meta, and Indian startups – highlights major flaws:
-
Detection Difficulties
Real-time deepfake identification remains technically challenging for most platforms. -
Innovation Roadblocks
Strict mandates may drive AI developers to more lenient markets like the UAE or Singapore. -
Ambiguous Terminology
Broad terms like “harmful content” could lead to inconsistent enforcement. -
Startup Strain
Small firms may struggle with high compliance costs, skewing the market toward big tech.
IAMAI proposes a risk-based framework targeting high-impact misuse instead of sweeping restrictions.
How Other Countries Handle Deepfakes
| Region | Approach |
|——–|———-|
| EU | Transparency-focused under AI Act |
| China | Strict bans with heavy penalties |
| US | Sector-specific guidelines |
India’s draft falls between these models but risks being neither effective nor innovation-friendly.
3-Path Solution Suggested by Experts
- Boost Detection Tech
Government-funded R&D for deepfake identification tools. - Targeted Regulation
Prioritize policing political/financial deepfakes over blanket rules. - Co-Regulation Model
Let platforms design verification systems with govt oversight.
Final Verdict: Good Intent, Flawed Execution
While the draft shows India’s commitment to combating AI risks, the tech industry urges revisions to avoid stifling growth. The stakes are high – 78% of Indian firms use AI tools vulnerable to these rules.
