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Posted 08 May 2024

2 min read

  • Artificial intelligence-generated fake audio and video clips have been reportedly used in recent national elections across the globe.
  • Disinformation is the intentional spread of misleading or biased information.
    • Criminals, terrorist/extremist groups, and state-sponsored actors use disinformation to spread propaganda, incite confusion, or compel violence.
    • Information technology has played a pivotal role in the spread of disinformation.

Challenges Posed by Disinformation: 

  • Curtailing Human Rights: It interferes with the right to freedom of thought and to hold opinions without interference. As fake news interferes with the free flow of correct news.
  • Weakening of trust in democratic institutions: The use of misinformation can substantially sway public opinion, influencing democracy or public policy.
  • Polarisation of society: Disinformation often seeks to polarize its target audience across contentious political or social divisions.
  • Digital violence and repression: Coercive use of information by non-state actors against its challengers often includes cyber-stalking, harassment, or Cyberbullying.

Way- Forward:

  • Technological solutions: Using AI and machine learning for identifying and filtering out false information.
  • Collaboration between governments, technology companies, and civil organizations for effective regulation.
  • Threat monitoring, and regular technological system updates 
  • International cooperation: For sharing of best practices and intelligence.

Steps taken: 

  • Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: It proposes that social media platforms are required to remove content that has been fact-checked.
  • Information Technology (IT) Act, 2008: The act can be used to penalize those who spread fake news through electronic communication.
  • Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023: Has provisions for fake news including through electronic means.
  • Tags :
  • Disinformation
  • Fake News
  • Digital Violence
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