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News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
As PM Modi Raises Deep Fake Menace, Govt Steps Up Fight Against AI Misinformation
Last Updated: The government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure digital environment Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent three-nation trip, said the world cannot ignore the threats of technology, including the misuse of deep fake, even as he lauded the advancement of technology. Back home, a full-scale effort is underway to mitigate the challenge of AI misinformation. The Union government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure and trustworthy digital environment. At the heart of this initiative lies the Information Technology Act, 2000, which, along with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, forms the legal foundation to tackle cybercrimes, including deep fakes. The IT Act penalises a range of offences such as identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations, transmission of obscene material, and cyberterrorism—irrespective of whether the content is human-generated or AI-created. Under the 2021 IT Rules, digital platforms and intermediaries, including social media companies, are legally required to act swiftly against unlawful content. This includes misinformation, impersonation, obscene visuals, gender-based harassment, and content that can mislead or deceive users. These platforms are also obligated to incorporate explicit content restrictions in their terms of service and ensure rapid redressal of user grievances. The government has also directed platforms to exercise caution when deploying AI models, LLMs (Large Language Models), and generative AI tools. Platforms must ensure such technologies are not used to spread unlawful, biased, or politically disruptive content. Furthermore, content generated through unverified AI tools must be appropriately labelled to indicate its potential unreliability. To bolster user protection, the Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) have been established under the IT Rules, 2021. These committees offer users the option to file appeals at if dissatisfied with how digital platforms handle complaints, including those related to deep fakes. Meanwhile, with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, set to come into force from July 1, 2024, legal backing for tackling deep fakes will be further reinforced. Sections like 111 (organised cybercrime), 318 (cheating), 319 (impersonation), and 336 (forgery) are directly applicable to deep fake-related offences. At the enforcement level, the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) provides a comprehensive support system for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across states. Citizens can report cybercrimes through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal ( or by calling the dedicated helpline 1930. In terms of innovation, the government has funded two key projects: Fake Speech Detection Using Deep Learning Design and Development of Software for Detecting Deepfake Videos and Images. The latter has led to the creation of 'FakeCheck", a prototype tool capable of detecting deep fakes without needing internet connectivity. The tool is currently being tested by select LEAs. Further, under the IndiaAI Mission, the government has invited expressions of interest from academia, start-ups, and industry players to develop responsible AI frameworks, watermarking tools, and deep fake detection technologies. So far, 38 proposals on watermarking and 100 on deep fake detection tools have been submitted. 'As the digital landscape evolves rapidly, the government maintains that enforcement remains a state subject. Citizens are encouraged to report violations either through or the national helpline 1093, ensuring swift legal action wherever necessary," the Ministry of Information and Technology has been saying. To ensure an inclusive and informed approach, a high-level committee comprising stakeholders from government, academia, and industry has been constituted to address the broader implications and solutions related to deep fakes. First Published: June 21, 2025, 15:14 IST
Economic Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Madras High Court says yes to Aadhaar checks for online rummy, poker players
State's authority to regulate is clear Filling a regulatory gap Live Events Privacy vs Public interest (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Madras High Court has backed Tamil Nadu's law that regulates online real-money games such as rummy and poker. The law sets limits on player age, betting amounts, playing time, and advertisements. It also requires a two-step Aadhaar verification process for players. The court rejected petitions from online gaming companies challenging these restrictions, stating the rules are valid and necessary.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar made a clear point about the potential risks of online real-money games. They said, "In true essence, the online real money games is a trade activity, which, if left unregulated, has immediate implications on health of the public." This highlights the court's concern about the wider social effects, beyond just business gaming companies argued that only the central government has the power to regulate these platforms, especially since the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, already offer some oversight. The court did not agree. It noted, "Both the Union and state govts have power to enact laws in their own respective subject matter apart from the common pool as enabled in List III (concurrent list). This court cannot hold that state is barred from enacting laws regulating online real money games. It is covered under the subject matter of public health and sanitation which comes under List II (state list)."This ruling confirms that Tamil Nadu's government acted within its rights to pass the court also pointed out that the IT Rules, 2021, related to online gaming "is yet to take effect and remains unenforceable as of today." This means there is no current central regulation in place to control online real-money games properly. The judges recognised this gap and supported the state's decision to introduce rules that protect players and the public. They said, "This court views that the state is fully within its competence to enact laws pertaining to online real money games."One challenge to the law was the requirement for players to verify their identity with Aadhaar. Opponents claimed this infringed on privacy rights. But the court rejected this concern, explaining, "Right to privacy carries with it its own limitations and cannot be claimed in absolute. When put on a scale, a compelling public interest outweighs right to privacy."This statement makes clear the court values the need to protect the public from harm above the privacy concerns in this ruling sets a strong precedent. Online gaming platforms must now follow strict rules on who can play, how much money can be bet, how long games can be played, and how they advertise. They must also use Aadhaar verification to prevent misuse or addiction. This marks a shift towards stricter, more localised control of the online gaming industry.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Madras High Court says yes to Aadhaar checks for online rummy, poker players
The Madras High Court has upheld Tamil Nadu's law that regulates online real-money games like rummy and poker. The law sets limits on age, betting amounts, playing time, and advertising, and requires Aadhaar verification in two stages. The court ruled the state government has the right to enact such laws as online gaming affects public health. It dismissed privacy concerns, stating public interest outweighs privacy. This fills a regulatory gap while pending central rules come into force. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads State's authority to regulate is clear Filling a regulatory gap Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Privacy vs Public interest The Madras High Court has backed Tamil Nadu's law that regulates online real-money games such as rummy and poker. The law sets limits on player age, betting amounts, playing time, and advertisements. It also requires a two-step Aadhaar verification process for players. The court rejected petitions from online gaming companies challenging these restrictions, stating the rules are valid and necessary.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar made a clear point about the potential risks of online real-money games. They said, "In true essence, the online real money games is a trade activity, which, if left unregulated, has immediate implications on health of the public." This highlights the court's concern about the wider social effects, beyond just business gaming companies argued that only the central government has the power to regulate these platforms, especially since the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, already offer some oversight. The court did not agree. It noted, "Both the Union and state govts have power to enact laws in their own respective subject matter apart from the common pool as enabled in List III (concurrent list). This court cannot hold that state is barred from enacting laws regulating online real money games. It is covered under the subject matter of public health and sanitation which comes under List II (state list)."This ruling confirms that Tamil Nadu's government acted within its rights to pass the court also pointed out that the IT Rules, 2021, related to online gaming "is yet to take effect and remains unenforceable as of today." This means there is no current central regulation in place to control online real-money games properly. The judges recognised this gap and supported the state's decision to introduce rules that protect players and the public. They said, "This court views that the state is fully within its competence to enact laws pertaining to online real money games."One challenge to the law was the requirement for players to verify their identity with Aadhaar. Opponents claimed this infringed on privacy rights. But the court rejected this concern, explaining, "Right to privacy carries with it its own limitations and cannot be claimed in absolute. When put on a scale, a compelling public interest outweighs right to privacy."This statement makes clear the court values the need to protect the public from harm above the privacy concerns in this ruling sets a strong precedent. Online gaming platforms must now follow strict rules on who can play, how much money can be bet, how long games can be played, and how they advertise. They must also use Aadhaar verification to prevent misuse or addiction. This marks a shift towards stricter, more localised control of the online gaming industry.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC upholds TN law regulating online real-money games
Chennai: A Tamil Nadu law regulating online real-money games like rummy and poker by introducing age, money, time and ad restrictions, besides two-stage Aadhaar-based verification, has been upheld by Madras high court . "In true essence, the online real money games is a trade activity, which, if left unregulated, has immediate implications on health of the public," a division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar said on Tuesday. Bench made the observation while dismissing a batch of petitions moved by online gaming platforms challenging validity of restrictions. Refusing to concur with the platforms which contended that a state govt lacks power to bring in such restrictions, the court said, "Both the Union and state govts have power to enact laws in their own respective subject matter apart from the common pool as enabled in List III (concurrent list). This court cannot hold that state is barred from enacting laws regulating online real money games. It is covered under the subject matter of public health and sanitation which comes under List II (state list)," judges said. The argument that Information Technology Rules, 2021 already prescribe a regulatory framework for intermediaries, including online gaming platforms, and hence the state cannot frame a subordinate legislation is unacceptable, the court said. "This court views that the state is fully within its competence to enact laws pertaining to online real money games. This court on perusal of the provisions of the Act (state legislation) finds no contradictions or provisions that run contrary to the central rules in force," the bench said. Moreover, the provisions related to online gaming under IT Rules, 2021 is yet to take effect and remains unenforceable as of today. So there exists a vacuum in regulating online games, the court pointed out. The judges added that they are of the view that the state govt has rightfully taken adequate steps to fill in the vacuum by framing the legislation. Rejecting argument that mandatory Aadhaar verification violates privacy of a player, bench said, "Right to privacy carries with it its own limitations and cannot be claimed in absolute. When put on a scale, a compelling public interest outweighs right to privacy."
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Madras HC Confirms Tamil Nadu's Night Ban and Aadhar Requirements for Online Gaming
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the age, money, and advertisement restrictions, as well as the night ban imposed by the govt on playing online real money games like rummy and poker. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'In true essence, the online real money games is a trade activity, which if left unregulated has immediate implications on health of the public,' a division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar said. The bench made the observation while dismissing a batch of petitions moved by online gaming platforms challenging the validity of the restrictions. Refusing to concur with the platforms which contended that a state govt lacks power to bring in such restrictions, the court said, 'Both the union and state govts have power to enact laws in their own respective subject matter apart from the common pool as enabled in List III (Concurrent list).' This court cannot hold that state is barred from enacting laws regulating online real money games. It is covered under the subject matter of public health and sanitation which comes under List II (State list), the judges said. The argument that Information Technology Rules, 2021 already prescribe a regulatory framework for intermediaries, including online gaming platforms, and hence the state cannot frame a subordinate legislation is unacceptable, the court said. 'This court views that the state is fully within its competence to enact laws pertaining to online real money games. This court on perusal of the provisions of the act (state legislation) finds no contradictions or provisions that run contrary to the central rules in force,' the bench said. Moreover, the provisions related to online gaming under IT Rules, 2021 is yet to take effect and remains unenforceable as of today. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now So there exists a vacuum in regulating online games, the court pointed out. The judges added that they are of the view that the state govt has rightfully taken adequate steps to fill in the vacuum by framing the legislation. Real money games do not seem to possess the level of discipline or professionalism followed while playing such games physically, they added. Rejecting the argument that mandatory Aadhar verification violates the privacy of a player, the bench said, 'Right to privacy carries with it its own limitations and cannot be claimed in absolute. When put on a scale, a compelling public interest outweighs right to privacy.'
