Deep-Fake Technology

Deep-Fake Technology

What are Deep-Fakes?
• Deep-fakes are a type of fake media in which a person's likeness is digitally altered in an already-existing photograph or video. Deep-fakes use sophisticated machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to edit or generate visual and audio content with the intent of fooling.
• AI-Generated Synthetic media or deep-fakes have clear benefits in certain areas, such as accessibility, education, film production, criminal forensics, and artistic expression.
• However, it can be exploited (hyper-realistic digital falsification) to damage the reputation, fabricate evidence, defraud the public, and undermine trust in democratic institutions with fewer resources (cloud computing, AI algorithms and abundant data).

What threats does it possess?
• 96% of Deep-Fakes are pornographic videos, reducing women to sexual objects and causing emotional distress.
• Deep-Fake can depict a person as indulging in antisocial behaviors and can create social discord, increase polarization, and can even influence the election outcome
• Deep-Fakes can accelerate the trust deficit in traditional media and could be used by nation-state actors to create chaos in the target country, undermining trust in institutions and
• Misuse by non-state actors (terrorist organisations), to stir anti-state sentiments among people.
• The threat of the liar’s dividend – an undesirable truth is dismissed as deep-fake or fake news, giving more credibility to denials.
• Weaponisation of deep-fakes, use of fake news and alternative-facts narrative to dismiss an actual piece of media and truth.

What are nations doing to combat Deep-Fakes?
• The European Union updated Code of Practice, that requires tech companies including Google, Meta, and Twitter to take measures in countering deep-fakes on their platforms. If found non-compliant, these companies can face fines of as much as 6% of their annual global turnover.
• In India, there are no legal rules against using deep-fake technology. However, specific laws can be addressed for misusing the tech, which includes Copyright Violation, Defamation and cybercrimes. 

What preventive measures can individuals apply?
• Media literacy for consumers is the most effective tool to combat disinformation and deep fakes.
• Easy-to-use and accessible technology solutions to detect deep-fakes, authenticate media, and amplify authoritative sources.
• Meaningful regulations with a collaborative discussion with the technology industry, civil society and policymakers to disincentivise the creation and distribution of malicious deep-fakes.