On Monday, the renowned Indian cricket player Sachin Tendulkar issued a warning to everyone regarding a deepfake video of himself that was being used to advertise an app. Sachin Tendulkar’s voice and footage have been edited in the video to give the impression that Tendulkar is endorsing the app. When Tendulkar saw that the video was being manipulated, he took to X to warn his followers and the general public that it was a fake and to report any such videos, programs, or promotions.
He also named the Maharashtra Cyber Police, Union Electronics and Information Technology Ministry and Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrashekar, in his tweet. “These are not real videos. The widespread misuse of technology is unsettling. We kindly ask everyone to report these kinds of movies, advertisements, and apps in bulk. Social media sites must be vigilant and quick to address concerns. It is imperative that they act quickly to halt the dissemination of false information and fake news. Sachin tweeted, “@GoI_MeitY, @Rajeev_GoI, and @MahaCyber1.”
Notably, on November 6 of last year, actor Rashmika Mandanna’s altered footage surfaced online, igniting conversations about internet safety. A woman who looked like actress Rashmika was seen getting into an elevator while decked up in a black swimsuit in the widely shared video. Soon after the video went viral, a number of social media users confirmed that it was a deep fake. Later on, it was discovered that Zara Patel, a British actress, was featured in the video.
“I feel really hurt to share this and have to talk about the deep fake video of me being spread online,” the actor said in a forceful response to the purportedly deepfake footage. Something like this truly terrifies me and all of us since we are so exposed to danger in this day and age due to improper use of technology.” Union Minister for Communications, Electronics, and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said that notices had been sent to all social media platforms instructing them to take the appropriate action to locate and remove such information in the wake of the deepfake video controversy.
“Deep fake is a big issue for all of us,” stated Vaishnaw. We just sent out letters to all of the major social media platforms, requesting that they remove deepfakes and take action to identify them. Social networking sites have answered back. They are taking action. We’ve instructed them to approach this task with greater vigor.” “Also, we must notice that the ‘Safe Harbour’ Clause that most of the social media platforms have been enjoying, doesn’t apply if the platforms do not take adequate steps to remove the deepfakes from their platforms,” he stated.
