• India is experiencing a surge in fake news and deepfakes, with social media platforms being the primary source.
• The study by ISB and CyberPeace reveals that political fake news accounts for the largest share.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the government's commitment to addressing this issue through debate and innovation.
• Major Vineet Kumar and Prof. Manish Gangwar stress the importance of collective action, media literacy, and robust legal frameworks in combating misinformation.

India is grappling with a significant surge in the spread of fake news and deepfakes, a recent study reveals. The research, conducted by the Indian School of Business (ISB) and CyberPeace, indicates that social media platforms have become the primary vector of misinformation, leading to rising concerns about fake news and deepfakes in the country.

The study analysed a substantial number of fake news stories, revealing that political fake news accounts for the most significant share (46 per cent), followed by general issues (33.6 per cent) and religion (16.8 per cent). These three categories alone represent 94 per cent of the total fake news instances analysed.

The Role of Social Media in Spreading Misinformation

Social media platforms are the dominant source of misinformation, responsible for 77.4 per cent of cases compared to just 23 per cent originating from mainstream media. Twitter (61 per cent) and Facebook (34 per cent) were identified as the leading platforms for spreading fake news. Major Vineet Kumar, Global President and Founder of CyberPeace, emphasised the need for collective action in the fight against fake news and misinformation.

He stated, While governments and organisations must take the lead in creating secure ecosystems, individual responsibility is equally critical. CyberPeace is committed to building safer and resilient digital spaces by fostering awareness, collaboration, and innovation to counter these growing threats.

Prof. Manish Gangwar, Executive Director, ISB Institute of Data Science, underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to combatting misinformation. He suggested focusing not just on technological solutions but also on enhancing media literacy, improving reporting mechanisms, and fostering responsible online behaviour.

Government's Response to the Threat of Deepfakes

Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the Parliament, said that the government is committed to addressing fake news and deepfake through robust debate and responsible innovation while fixing accountability on social media platforms.

The minister highlighted the critical challenges posed by the emerging AI landscape, social media accountability, and the need for robust legal frameworks. He underlined the importance of balancing freedom of speech with the responsibility to combat fake news and ensure accurate narratives in the digital age.

The rise of deepfakes and fake news is not just a concern for India but has become a global issue. In the past, there have been instances where deepfakes have been used to manipulate public opinion and even sway elections. For instance, in the 2024 elections in Ghana, there were concerns about the online information space and the potential for misinformation to influence the election outcome. Similarly, in the United States, there were concerns about the use of AI and deepfakes in the electoral process.

In India, the government is taking steps to address this issue. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is actively monitoring illegal activities and is working on developing tools and technologies to counter the threat of deepfakes. The government is also committed to fostering a robust debate and responsible innovation to address the issue of fake news and deepfakes.