Govt Pivots to Dedicated AI Law as Crackdown on Deepfakes Intensifies in India

Govt Pivots to Dedicated AI Law as Crackdown on Deepfakes Intensifies in India​

India is set to pursue a dedicated regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, signaling a major shift in how the government views and manages rapidly advancing AI technologies. IT Secretary S Krishnan announced that while existing laws have initially addressed concerns regarding deepfakes and synthetic content, additional, specific legislation may be necessary. This move comes as policymakers globally grapple with the risks posed by generative AI, including misinformation and online harms.

Why India Needs Dedicated AI Regulation​

IT Secretary Krishnan confirmed that the conversation surrounding specialized AI regulation has begun. He stated that his Minister (IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw) and he have been consistently committed to reviewing AI legislation when the time is right. Krishnan clarified that while they have used current IT rules, a separate piece of legislation is likely required moving forward.

Union Minister Vaishnaw previously emphasized that the existing information technology law was formulated long before the rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He maintained that a new legal framework is essential to manage this swiftly changing technological landscape. The government's aim, he confirmed, is to strike a careful balance between fostering innovation and establishing robust regulatory safeguards.

Intensifying Crackdown on AI Deepfakes and Synthetic Content​

The Centre has significantly tightened IT rules to firmly crack down on malicious use of AI technology. In February this year, the government introduced stricter obligations for all online platforms concerning AI-generated and synthetic material. This measure mandates that platforms like X and Instagram must remove any such content within three hours if it is flagged by a competent authority or a court.

The notification involved amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These formal changes specifically define "audio, visual," and "synthetically-generated information." The definition covers any AI-created or altered content that appears real or authentic. Routine editing work and educational projects have been explicitly excluded from this stringent definition.

Focus Shifts to Transparency and Disclosure Norms​

Beyond enforcement, the government is also focused on ensuring transparency when synthetic content is consumed by the public. The Centre has mooted stricter disclosure norms for all AI-generated material. These proposed tweaks to IT rules would require clear and continuous labels identifying synthetically generated information throughout its entire visual display.

This comprehensive regulatory approach indicates a proactive posture by policymakers in India. The government is moving quickly to address sophisticated technology risks, building upon existing compliance requirements with targeted legislative intent.