AI The proliferation of deepfake technology is posing an escalating threat to women across Asia, with notable incidents involving Bollywood celebrities and politicians. These convincing manipulations, generated by advanced artificial intelligence (AI), underscore the challenges faced by social media platforms in discerning authentic content from manipulated versions.
Bollywood Under Attack: Cloned Stars Spark Urgency for Collective Action
Bollywood stars, including Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Deepika Padukone, have become targets of deepfake attacks, raising concerns within the entertainment industry. The urgency to address this issue collectively has been emphasized, as these manipulated videos can lead to identity theft and potential harm, as noted by Rashmika Mandanna.
Pervasive Impact on Women: Predominance of Pornographic Content
More than 90% of online deepfake videos are reported to be pornographic, with women being the primary subjects. Digital rights experts highlight the particular challenges faced by women in conservative societies, where online harassment often goes unpunished.
Social Media’s Struggle: Platforms Grapple with AI-Generated Content
Major social media platforms, including Google’s YouTube and Meta Platforms, have updated their policies to combat AI-generated content. However, the primary responsibility for addressing deepfake threats falls on the victims, predominantly women, who must take action against such content.
AI’s Dark Side: Amplifying Harassment and Malicious Content
Generative AI tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E have amplified online harassment, with women being the initial targets. The sophistication of deepfake technology raises concerns about its potential use in scams, sextortion, and other malicious activities.
Regulatory Responses: Slow Progress and Emerging Initiatives
Regulations surrounding deepfakes have been slow to materialize globally. However, some countries are taking steps to address the issue. China mandates watermarks and reporting for illegal deepfakes, South Korea has made the distribution of deepfakes harming public interest illegal, and India is drafting new rules.
Balancing Act: Privacy Protection vs. Abuse Prevention
While India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasizes the swift removal of deepfakes, advocacy groups stress the importance of striking a balance between privacy protection and abuse prevention. As deepfake incidents continue to rise globally, the need for comprehensive and proactive measures becomes increasingly apparent.
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