The Election Commission of India is scheduled to convene with high-ranking representatives from prominent social media platforms to deliberate on the obstacles presented by misinformation and deepfakes in anticipation of the upcoming Assembly elections in the country.

Reports indicated that the upcoming discussion will focus on the opportunities and challenges associated with the utilization of social media during electoral processes.

Also Read: Rapido Officially Rolls Out Ownly Across Bengaluru

The objective of the electoral commission is to establish a comprehensive framework that promotes the appropriate and ethical use of social media in compliance with current legislation.

Authorities are also anticipated to engage in discussions regarding methods through which social media companies can enhance their monitoring systems for content, expedite responses to complaints related to elections, and bolster collaboration with election officials throughout the campaign season.

The discussions are taking place in anticipation of upcoming Assembly elections in several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The growing influence of social media in electoral affairs has sparked worries regarding the dissemination of false information, particularly through the use of deepfakes and other advanced technological methods. Instances have arisen where such content has been associated with acts of violence.

The forthcoming gathering is a result of prior discussions held between the electoral commission and technology firms, indicating a growing apprehension regarding the impact of altered media and AI-generated deepfakes on electoral procedures.

Also Read: Practo Names Cijo George as Vice President of Artificial Intelligence

In the most recent elections, there has been a noticeable uptick in the utilization of artificial intelligence technology by political parties and candidates for the creation of synthetic videos and audio recordings.

Experts have noted that the proliferation of this type of content on various social media platforms poses a significant obstacle for election officials. The dissemination of deepfakes and altered content has the ability to mimic political figures, create fabricated quotes, or inaccurately present showings of support.

The Election Commission of India has released directives for political parties in anticipation of the 2024 general elections, urging them to refrain from disseminating deepfake videos or any other deceptive content. The commission has mandated that any such content should be promptly removed within a time frame of three hours upon its identification.

Also Read: Govt, Exporters to Review Trade Impact amid West Asia Crisis

The advisory cited the relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Information Technology Act, 2000 as integral components of the legal structure regulating such transgressions.

The conversations are occurring against the backdrop of broader policy discussions in India regarding the oversight of AI-generated material. The revisions made to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 have reduced the time limit for the removal of illegal content from 36 hours to three hours, a decision that has been met with resistance from various sectors of the industry.

Executives from major global platforms, such as Meta, have acknowledged that although companies are dedicated to addressing harmful content, the three-hour timeframe poses challenges for thorough legal and factual evaluations.