Delhi HC Orders Meta: Deepfake PM Modi Takedown in 24 Hours

• The Delhi High Court ordered Meta Platforms to remove deepfake content featuring a woman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi within 24 hours.
• Justice Girish Kathpalia emphasized the sensitivity of the matter, involving both the woman and the Prime Minister.
• The court also directed the Delhi Police to provide complete protection to the woman, who reported receiving threats.
• The petitioner alleged that CJP leaders used AI face-swapping tools to create and circulate the "highly vulgar and compromising image."
• This ruling sets a precedent for swift judicial intervention and accelerated content takedown timelines for social media platforms in India.

The Delhi High Court's decisive action against the alleged deepfake content involving the Prime Minister and a private citizen establishes a significant precedent for swift judicial intervention in cases of digital manipulation.

The Delhi High Court has issued a significant directive compelling Meta Platforms to promptly remove deepfake and morphed content featuring a woman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Justice Girish Kathpalia mandated that the objectionable material be taken down from Meta's managed social media platforms immediately, clarifying that "immediately" means within a 24-hour timeframe. This order came after a woman alleged that leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were responsible for circulating the fabricated images online and displaying them during a public demonstration.

During the proceedings, Justice Kathpalia underscored the profound sensitivity of the case, remarking that it concerned not only the individual woman but also the nation's Prime Minister. He emphasized the need for sensitivity in such matters, stating that if parties were not sensitive, he would ensure they became so. The court acknowledged that a request for content removal would typically fall under the purview of a civil bench. However, given the urgent and sensitive nature of the allegations, Justice Kathpalia determined that the petitioner should not be compelled to navigate multiple legal forums.

The woman's counsel, Advocate Umesh Sharma, informed the court that despite an existing First Information Report (FIR) and her complaints, the police had not taken action to remove the morphed images from the internet. He highlighted the explicit nature of the photographs and the constant threats his client was enduring. The court also took measures to protect the petitioner's identity, directing that her address should not be disclosed, citing previous instances where such disclosures had led to difficulties for victims.

This ruling marks a critical development in the landscape of online content regulation in India, particularly concerning deepfake content removal. The explicit 24-hour deadline for Meta Platforms sets a stringent precedent for social media companies operating within the country, reinforcing their responsibility to act swiftly on judicial directives regarding harmful or fabricated content. The court's order effectively establishes an accelerated mechanism for the Delhi High Court deepfake content removal, especially in cases involving high-profile public figures or severe personal harassment.

The court's directive also outlined a practical pathway for enforcement, noting the submission from the Additional Solicitor General that Investigating Officer SI Anurag would provide Meta with the specific web links and other necessary details to facilitate the removal of the objectionable material. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and social media platforms is crucial for the effective implementation of such content takedown orders, underscoring the evolving framework for India's deepfake law on social media.

The Delhi High Court's decisive action against the alleged deepfake content involving the Prime Minister and a private citizen establishes a significant precedent for swift judicial intervention in cases of digital manipulation. This ruling sends a clear message to social media platforms regarding their accountability and the imperative for rapid response to court orders, particularly in sensitive matters involving online content removal. It highlights the judiciary's willingness to prioritize immediate relief for victims of deepfake technology, especially when CJP leaders deepfake allegations or similar malicious campaigns are involved.

For legal practitioners, this judgment signals an accelerated timeline for addressing online defamation and content removal, particularly in deepfake cases. Compliance officers at social media companies must ensure robust internal mechanisms are in place to meet such rapid response requirements. The court's emphasis on the sensitivity of the matter, extending protection to the victim and ensuring prompt takedown, underscores a growing judicial resolve to combat the spread of harmful deepfake content in India.

This ruling establishes a precedent for swift judicial intervention against deepfake and morphed content in India, compelling social media platforms like Meta to remove objectionable material within 24 hours. Lawyers advising clients on online defamation or content removal should note this accelerated timeline and the court's willingness to prioritize immediate relief in sensitive deepfake cases, while compliance officers for platforms must ensure robust mechanisms for rapid response to such judicial directives.

Source: Original reporting via legal news reports