In a recent development, the Mumbai Police have initiated an investigation into a deepfake video featuring legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. The case, filed against an unidentified person, revolves around the manipulated video that surfaced on social media earlier this week.
Sachin Tendulkar himself brought attention to the fake video on Monday, where he was portrayed promoting an online game and discussing his daughter Sara supposedly earning Rs 1.8 lakh per day through predictions. The cricketer took to his social media platforms to clarify that the video was entirely manipulated, and he had no association with its content.
Expressing his concern, Tendulkar highlighted the “rampant misuse of technology” and urged for a halt to the dissemination of misinformation and deepfake content. He called upon the public to remain vigilant and cautious in the face of such technological abuses.
Following Tendulkar’s statement, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar conveyed on social media platform ‘X’ that tighter rules under the IT Act would be implemented to ensure platform compliance. This indicates a swift response from authorities to address the rising issue of deepfake content and its repercussions.
Notably, Tendulkar is the latest high-profile individual to fall victim to the misuse of deepfake technology, following in the footsteps of Bollywood actor Rashmika Mandanna. In a similar incident, the Delhi Police promptly took action against the culprit responsible for circulating a deepfake video of the actor on social media.
Deepfakes, a fusion of “deep learning” and “fake,” are highly realistic audio or video recordings generated through artificial intelligence. These manipulated media can depict individuals engaging in actions or making statements they never actually did, raising significant ethical and societal concerns.
As the investigation unfolds, the Sachin Tendulkar deepfake video case underscores the urgency for stricter regulations and heightened awareness to combat the growing menace of misinformation and manipulated content in the digital age. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences and ethical challenges posed by deepfake technology in the realm of public figures and celebrities.