Author: Riya Mishra, Student at Babu Banarasi Das University, Lucknow
Co-Author: Akhilesh Maurya, Student at Babu Banarasi Das University, Lucknow
ABSTRACT
This article delves into the increasing phenomenon of deepfakes—AI-generated synthetic media that can replicate human likeness with remarkable precision—and its opportunities, risks, and regulatory challenges. Although deepfakes present innovative uses in entertainment, education, accessibility, and law enforcement, they also bring significant threats, such as misinformation, cybercrime, privacy infringements, reputational damage, and risks to democracy. The discussion outlines the development of deepfake technology, assesses its societal impact, and underscores global legislative responses, including those from the U.S., EU, U.K., China, and South Korea. Particular attention is given to the Indian legal framework, which considers the relevance of the IT Act, IPC, BNS, Evidence Act, and Copyright law, along with recent case law such as Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015), Swami Ramdev v. Facebook (2019), and Amitabh Bachchan v. Rajat Nagi (2022). The article suggests a regulatory framework that integrates legal reforms, watermarking policies, AI detection tools, media literacy, and enhanced intermediary liability. In conclusion, it stresses the importance of a balanced approach that encourages innovation while protecting rights, privacy, and the integrity of democracy.
