Deepfakes And Democracy: Controlling AI- Generated Misinformation In India
Mouneka Selvam, B.A., LL.B., The Central Law College, Salem
ABSTRACT
The accelerated advancement of Artificial Intelligence has transformed the creation and circulation of digital content. Among its most far- reaching implications are deepfakes, which adopt artificial intelligence to create or influence audio, video, pictures, or other digital contents so credibly that fabricated events may appear authentic. While synthetic media can advance a legitimate objective in education, entertainment, access and political disclose, its misuse creates significant coercion to privacy, human dignity, standing, freedom of speech and, most significantly, democratic decision- making. India brought a framework through, the IT Act,2000, some electoral guidelines brought by the Election Commission of India, the IT rules,2021, and related criminal and data privacy laws. The 2026 amendments to the Information Technology Rules determines an important advancement by Explicitly regulating through a structured framework generated information and requiring Clear disclosure and Technological origin mechanisms. However, obstacles remain concerning execution, technological detection, intermediary accountability and safeguarding of legitimate political expression. This essay submits a rights-based regulatory framework that addresses deceptive and abusive uses of AI- generated media while safeguarding satire, critique, artistic expression and legitimate political discourse.
Keywords: AI Media, Technology Regulation, Deepfakes, Information Technology.
