Following a recent surge in the circulation of a deepfake video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna, singer Chinmayi Sripaada has come forward, alleging the misuse of women’s images by loan apps and addressing concerns about the misuse of AI technology and deepfake videos.
Sripaada claims that these manipulated videos are not limited to targeting celebrities but are also impacting ordinary individuals. On social media platform X, she stated, “Deepfake is emerging as a potent weapon, used by certain individuals to target, harass, and exploit women for extortion and other nefarious purposes. Especially in small villages or towns, families may not comprehend the gravity of the situation when the honor of their loved ones is at stake.” Sripaada further highlighted instances where women who have taken loans from these apps are facing harassment from collectors who manipulate their images into inappropriate content, aiming to extort money from them.
Emphasizing the difficulty in distinguishing deepfakes in general, Sripaada called for legal action and urged for increased awareness on the matter. She expressed hope for a nationwide awareness campaign to enlighten the public about the perils of deepfake technology and encouraged reporting incidents rather than resorting to vigilantism.
The recent viral video, initially believed to feature actress Rashmika Mandanna entering an elevator, was revealed to be a manipulated clip showcasing British-Indian influencer Zara Patel with Rashmika Mandanna’s face seamlessly superimposed using AI’s deepfake technology.
Rashmika Mandanna responded to the incident, expressing her apprehension and frustration. She shared on social media platform X, “My deepfake videos are circulating online. Discussing and sharing this is distressing. The reality is that this is not just a concern for me but for everyone vulnerable to the misuse of such technology.”
In response to these concerns, the Center issued an advisory to major social media companies, urging them to promptly identify and remove misinformation, deepfakes, and other content that violates regulations within 36 hours of being reported, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.
