A court in Mohali has directed YouTube, Telegram and Instagram to immediately remove within 24 hours all objectionable AI-generated deepfake videos aimed at defaming Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Warning that failure to comply with the order will invite legal action, the court on Thursday directed all online platforms to submit a compliance report within 10 days.
“All digital platforms must promptly delete or block any similar or derivative objectionable content as soon as they are notified by the Cyber Crime Wing,” according to the fresh court order.
Earlier, similar warnings were issued to Facebook and Google, instructing them to block such posts.
Meanwhile, the Cyber Crime police have formally written to Facebook and Instagram, requesting immediate removal of the deepfake videos and attached a copy of the FIR for reference.
The fake video, created using artificial intelligence, was allegedly uploaded from an account of Jagman Samra. Following the video’s viral spread, a case was registered against him under sections 340, 353(1), 353(2), 351(2), and 336(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the IT Act based on the statement of Inspector Gaganpreet Singh of the Cyber Crime Wing.
Even after the FIR was registered, Samra allegedly uploaded five additional posts from two separate accounts. In one of the posts, he challenged authorities by writing, “This is just the trailer. Anyone who proves this video is AI-generated will get a $1 million reward.”
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Investigators revealed that Samra’s social media account is an old one with over 35,000 followers, and efforts are underway to trace other accounts that amplified or reshared the video.
Police sources confirmed that several Aam Aadmi Party leaders have filed complaints at various police stations across the state, demanding strict action against those spreading the AI-manipulated videos targeting the chief minister.
