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Deepfakes

Technology, Legal Framework, and Regulatory Response

A deepfake is AI-generated synthetic media — video, audio, or images — that realistically replicates a real person's appearance, voice, or behavior using techniques like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and diffusion models. In authentication bypass, deepfakes are used to fool liveness detection algorithms (which check for blinking, head movement, lip sync) used in Video-KYC and facial recognition systems.

Key details

The primary legal provisions applicable to deepfake-based fraud in India:
IT Act, 2000 (amended 2008): Section 66C (identity theft), Section 66D (cheating by personation using computer resources) — both cognizable offences.
IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Require platforms to take down deepfake content within 24–72 hours of a complaint; users must not upload synthetic media that impersonates individuals.
MeitY AI Governance Framework (2024): Advisory requiring AI platforms to label AI-generated content; discussions on mandatory deepfake watermarking continue.
BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023): Sections on cheating and fraud by impersonation provide IPC-equivalent criminal recourse.
Video-KYC (V-CIP): Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandated Video-based Customer Identification Process for digital onboarding of bank accounts and financial products — now a target for deepfake attacks.
The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and Helpline 1930 are the primary citizen-facing reporting channels.