Page 29 - Banking Finance June 2024

ARTICLE

Augmenting this process are Generative Adversarial vigilance but a concerted effort to foster digital literacy and
Networks (GANs), which refine imperfections across awareness. Authenticity, once taken for granted, now
iterative cycles, rendering detection mechanisms demands vigilant scrutiny, underpinned by corroborative
increasingly obsolete. evidence and scepticism.

While deepfake technology harbours nefarious undertones, To delve deeper into the multifaceted landscape of
its utilization extends beyond the realm of criminal activity. deepfakes, it's imperative to explore their diverse tapestry
The HBO documentary "Welcome to Chechnya" exemplifies of utilization. Historically, deepfake technology has
how deepfakes, when wielded judiciously, offer a shield to harboured nefarious undertones, notably evidenced in the
vulnerable communities, preserving anonymity without proliferation of non-consensual pornography. Beyond this
compromising narratives. Yet, amidst these glimmers of dark underbelly, deepfakes permeate realms of political
positivity, the dark underbelly of deepfakes persists, subterfuge and criminal activity, sowing seeds of discord and
permeating realms of political subterfuge and social discord. misinformation.

Detecting deepfakes demands a discerning eye, attuned to In India, deepfake content has been utilized for cyber fraud
subtle cues betraying their synthetic origins. Blurred details, and spreading rumours, resulting in AI-generated content
unnatural lighting, and incongruent audio-visual masquerading as truth, ensnaring unsuspecting victims in its
synchronization serve as tell tale signs, prompting scrutiny web of deception. According to a recent survey conducted
of the source's reliability. However, as technology evolves, by McAfee, more than 80% of people are worried about
the onus shifts from individuals to developers, necessitating deepfakes, compared to 2023. Moreover, approximately
robust detection mechanisms to combat the insidious spread 64% of people find it challenging to identify real and fake
of deepfakes. content in the AI era, indicating a growing concern over the
proliferation of deepfake technology.
In response to this burgeoning threat, governments
worldwide have begun to enact legislative frameworks and To combat this pervasive threat, stringent laws related to
technological safeguards. In India, stringent laws under the deepfakes have been enacted in India under the IT Act.
IT Act impose fines and jail terms for the dissemination of Section 66E and Section 67 of the IT Act provide provisions
deepfake content, underscoring the gravity of this issue. for fines and imprisonment for sharing deepfake content
Additionally, the Central Government has issued advisories online without the subject's consent. Section 66E stipulates
to social media intermediaries, mandating the identification a jail term of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh
and removal of deepfake content within stipulated for publishing someone's photo or video on social and online
timeframes. platforms without their permission. On the other hand,
Section 67 mandates a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh or
Yet, as we grapple with the impending onslaught of AI-
generated deepfakes, the path forward remains uncertain.
Society finds itself at a crossroads, torn between the allure
of innovation and the perils of deception. In this precarious
balance, the preservation of privacy and the sanctity of truth
hang in the balance, demanding a concerted effort to
illuminate the shadows and safeguard our digital realm from
the seductive embrace of manufactured realities.

As deepfake sophistication burgeons, the spectre of a
dystopian future looms large, necessitating pre-emptive
legislative frameworks and technological safeguards.
Navigating this treacherous terrain mandates not just

26 | 2024 | JUNE | BANKING FINANCE