**Summary:**
In response to concerns raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1578 regarding the misuse of deepfake technology, the Ministry of Home Affairs acknowledges the significant risks posed by AI-powered misinformation and disinformation, particularly the potential to damage individual reputation, dignity, and safety via digital and social media platforms.
The government asserts that existing legal provisions within the Information Technology Act, 2000, Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules), the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, address aspects of deepfake misuse. These provisions cover data protection, unauthorized access, impersonation, privacy violations, and place obligations on social media intermediaries to remove unlawful information. Penal actions are also in place for spreading false or misleading information.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) to facilitate the reporting of cybercrimes, including deepfakes. Citizens can report suspicious websites, URLs, WhatsApp numbers, Telegram handles, phone numbers, email IDs, SMS headers/numbers, deepfakes, and social media URLs through the NCRP. Reported incidents are analyzed, and appropriate action is taken in collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) regularly issue advisories regarding the detection, labeling, and removal of malicious synthetic media, including deepfakes, by online platforms. These advisories also provide guidance to users on how to protect themselves against deepfakes.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV: Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha regarding deepfake technology.
SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL: Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha regarding deepfake technology.
SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV: Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha regarding deepfake technology.
SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Information Technology Act, 2000: A law that includes provisions relevant to addressing issues arising from deepfake technology.
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: A law that provides for protection of data from unauthorized access and violation of privacy.
Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: A law that includes provisions related to cheating by personation, relevant to deepfake issues.
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal NCRP: A portal launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs for reporting cybercrimes, including deepfakes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1578
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29TH JULY, 2025/ SARVANA 7, 1947 (SAKA)
MISUSE OF DEEPFAKE TECHNOLOGY
†1578. SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:
SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:
SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether deepfake technology has become a very dangerous weapon
now-a-days;
(b) whether deepfake technology is being used to spoil the image and
career of any person; and
(c) if so, whether there is any special law against deepfake technology in
the country and if not, whether the Government proposes to introduce any
effective law in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a) to (c): Deepfakes are misinformation/ disinformation powered by
Artificial Intelligence (Al), posing significant risk by creation of
manipulated audio visual content to harm the reputation, dignity and
safety of individuals through the digital and social media platforms.
Provisions have been made in the Information Technology Act, 2000,
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 1578 FOR 29.07.2025
Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules), Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023,
Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 for protection of data from unauthorized
access, cheating by personation, violation of privacy, obligation on social
media intermediaries etc. to not host, store or publish any information
violative of any law for the time being in force, removal of the unlawful
information categorized under the IT Rules, 2021 and penal action for
spread of false/misleading information or rumours etc.
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) has been launched by
Ministry of Home Affairs for reporting cybercrimes including deepfakes.
Under NCRP, citizens can report suspicious websites/ URLs, WhatsApp
number/ Telegram handles, Phone numbers, E-mail ids, SMS
headers/numbers, Deepfakes and Social Media URLs, which are analyzed
and appropriate action taken in collaboration with Law Enforcement
Agencies (LEAs).
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Indian
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issue advisories from time
to time regarding obligations of online platforms to detect, label and
remove malicious synthetic media including deepfakes and measures to be
followed to stay protected against deepfakes.
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