Manoj Bajpayee, the celebrated actor known for his role in Netflix's "Inspector Zende," has become the latest victim of deepfake technology after a doctored video falsely linked him to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party. The actor has strongly condemned the misuse of his image and likeness for political campaigning and clarified that he has no affiliation with any political party.
The controversy erupted when a manipulated video, seemingly created by the IT wing of the RJD, began circulating online. The video, which has since been deleted, was intended to sway voters in favor of the RJD in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The deepfake showcased Bajpayee, giving the impression that he was endorsing the party.
Bajpayee reacted swiftly and decisively to denounce the fabricated video. He issued a statement emphasizing his apolitical stance. "I would like to publicly state that I have no association or allegiance with any political party," Bajpayee declared. He further clarified that the video was a "fake, patched-up edit" of an advertisement he had done for a streaming platform, seemingly referring to Amazon Prime Video.
The actor expressed his concern over the unethical use of deepfake technology, particularly its potential to mislead the public and manipulate electoral outcomes. He appealed to everyone to be vigilant and discerning when encountering such content online. In his statement, Bajpayee urged people to verify information before sharing it and to be aware of the increasing sophistication of deepfake technology.
The incident involving Manoj Bajpayee highlights the growing threat posed by deepfakes, especially in the political arena. With elections on the horizon, the potential for misuse is significant, raising concerns about the integrity of the democratic process. Political parties could use deepfakes to spread misinformation, damage opponents' reputations, or even incite violence.
Bajpayee is not the first Bollywood celebrity to fall prey to deepfake technology. Recently, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan have also filed suits to protect their personality rights from AI misuse. The Bombay High Court has also acknowledged the seriousness of deepfake videos, with Justice Arif Doctor granting interim protection to Asha Bhosle and Suniel Shetty. The court noted that unauthorized creation and uploading of deepfake images constitutes a grave infringement of personality rights and the right to live with dignity.
The rise of deepfakes has prompted legal and ethical debates about the need for regulation and safeguards. Experts are calling for stricter laws to prevent the creation and dissemination of deepfakes, as well as increased public awareness campaigns to educate people about how to identify them. Social media platforms also have a crucial role to play in detecting and removing deepfakes from their sites.
As deepfake technology becomes more advanced and accessible, it is essential for individuals, institutions, and governments to take proactive steps to mitigate its risks. The Manoj Bajpayee incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential harm that deepfakes can inflict and the importance of safeguarding truth and authenticity in the digital age.
