Deepfake technology

20 Dec 2022 Deepfake technology

Significance for Prelims: Deepfake technology

Significance for Mains: Impact Of Deepfake

News: China’s cyberspace watchdog, i.e. The Cyberspace Administration of China is rolling out new regulations to restrict the use of deep synthesis technology and curb disinformation.

About Deepfake:

• Origin of the term deepfake: An anonymous Reddit user called himself “Deepfakes in 2017. 
• These are compilation of artificial images and audio that are put together with machine-learning algorithms.
• It is used to spread misinformation and can replace a real person’s appearance, voice, or both with similar artificial likenesses or voices. 
• It can construct fictional characters and to make false statements and actions by actual individuals.
• Concept of face-swapping in Deepfake: A reddit  user in 2017 manipulated Google’s open-source, deep-learning technology for  creation  and posting pornographic videos through face-swapping. In this technique,  the user “Deepfakes” replaced real faces with celebrity faces. 
• Issues with Deepfake technology: Cybersecurity company Norton said that “deepfake”  is used for criminal activity like scams and hoaxes, celebrity pornography, election manipulation, social engineering, automated disinformation attacks, identity theft and financial fraud.
• Notable personalities like former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg and Hollywood celebrity Tom Cruise  are impersonated using Deepfake technology. 

China’s new policy to curb deepfakes:

• Content doctored through Deepfake can be traced to its original source: As it requires deep synthesis service providers and users to explicitly label the content. 
• Mandate of the regulation requires consent of the person in qusetion whose image or voice is edited using Deepfake.  
• In case of notifying the use of technology or reposting news made by the technology, the government-approved list of news outlets can be the only source. 
• The responsibility of Deep synthesis service providers must abide by local laws, respect ethics, and maintain the “correct political direction and public opinion orientation”.
• Reasons for Implementation of Policy: (a) Stop criminal activities like online scams or defamation by unchecked development and use of deep synthesis. (b) China’s new policies aims to curb risks arising from activities provided by deep learning or virtual reality platforms. 

Law of other countries for combating deepfakes: 

• European Union:  To stop the spread of disinformation through deepfakes Eu updated Code of Practice. Further,  The revised Code requires tech companies such as Google, Meta, and Twitter to take protective measures for countering deepfakes and fake accounts on their platforms. According to the updated Code, in case of  non-compliant of code  these companies will  face fines as much as 6% of their annual global turnover. 
• In 2018, the Code of Practice on Disinformation is introduced that for the first time brought together worldwide industry players to commit to counter disinformation.
• In October 2018,  The Code of Practice was signed by online platforms Facebook, Google, Twitter and Mozilla, as well as by advertisers. 
• In May 2019, Microsoft joined the Code of Practice on Disinformation, and TikTok signed the Code in June 2020. 
• In order to bridge the gaps in the Code and strengthen Code, the Code’s revision process was completed in June 2022.
• Deepfake Task Force Act was introduced in U.S. to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in countering deepfake technology. United States provinces such as California and Texas have passed laws to criminalise the publishing and distributing of deepfake videos with intention to influence the outcome of an election. Virginia passed law that imposes criminal penalties on the distribution of nonconsensual deepfake pornography.
• However, In India, there are no legal rules against deepfake technology. Copyright Violation, Defamation and cyber felonies are specific laws addressing the tech’s misuse. 

Source: The Hindu

Article: Deepfake technology: how and why China is planning to regulate it

Article Link: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/te

sharad