Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has revealed that the Centre is set to make significant amendments to IT rules in the coming week. The decision follows two rounds of “Digital India” dialogues with intermediaries, where concerns about current regulations and non-compliance consequences were discussed. Chandrasekhar emphasized the government’s commitment to an open, safe, and accountable internet, hinting at specific rules targeting misinformation and deepfakes.
Government’s Stance on Deepfakes
Chandrasekhar acknowledged the dual nature of innovation, bringing both benefits and challenges. He highlighted the government’s dedication to ensuring safety and trust on the internet for every Indian. An advisory on deepfake issues has already been issued, and the minister mentioned the forthcoming notification of new IT rules addressing the concerns related to deepfakes.
Defining Deepfakes
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is contemplating explicit definitions for deepfakes within the IT Rules, 2021. The proposed definition covers any electronically altered audio, visual, or audio-visual content that could be perceived as true. The move aims to give legal backing to advisories on deepfakes and ensure intermediaries make “reasonable efforts” to prevent hosting them.
Obligations for Intermediaries
MeitY is considering three crucial amendments. Firstly, making it mandatory for intermediaries to regularly remind users of disallowed content every 15 days. The content covered includes violations of intellectual property rights, impersonation, obscenity, harm to children, and threats to national security. Secondly, expanding the definition of “grievance” under IT Rules, allowing direct reporting to intermediary grievance officers for user-generated content violations.
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