Deepfakes: Threats To Computer Fraud And Security Under Indian Legal Provisions
- IJLLR Journal
- Nov 10
- 2 min read
Neha Verma, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Royal School of Law and Administration, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam.
ABSTRACT
Deepfake technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence to create highly realistic fake videos, audio, and images, is rapidly becoming a tool for cybercriminals. In India, this technology is being exploited to facilitate various forms of fraud, including identity theft, financial scams, and social engineering attacks. These threats put individuals at risk and compromise the security of businesses and government systems. This paper examines how deepfakes contribute to computer fraud and security risks while exploring how Indian laws can address these challenges. Deepfakes allow criminals to impersonate people convincingly, making it easier for them to carry out fraudulent activities, like stealing money or spreading false information. These digital forgeries are particularly dangerous because they target systems that rely on facial recognition, voice authentication, and other forms of digital identity verification, which are now more vulnerable to manipulation by deepfakes. In India, laws like the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) provide legal tools to deal with cybercrimes, including fraud and identity theft linked to deepfakes. Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act, for example, criminalize identity theft and impersonation, while the Indian Penal Code (IPC) also has provisions for cheating and fraud. Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023, which focuses on privacy and data protection, could also help regulate the misuse of personal data in deep fake content. However, the current legal system faces significant challenges in addressing these crimes, as deep fake technology evolves quickly and often outpaces law enforcement's ability to respond. This paper also examines the difficulties law enforcement faces in detecting deepfakes and suggests that better training, stronger laws, and more advanced detection technologies are needed to protect against these growing threats. The paper concludes by recommending that India enhance legal frameworks, raise public awareness, and adopt AI-powered tools to combat deep fake fraud and safeguard digital security.
Keywords: Deepfake Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cybercrimes, Fraud, Security Systems.
