Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh deepfakes videos: Mumbai DCP says investigation on, request people to not forward them

Days after actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh lodged complaints regarding their AI-generated deepfake videos, Mumbai DCP Datta Nalawade on Wednesday said the investigation into it is underway while urging all to not forward such videos. 

In the deepfake video that went viral on social media, the actors are seen criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and endorsing the opposition Congress party in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Reuters reported.

Talking to news agency ANI, Nalawade said, “2-3 cases have been reported to us and cases have also been registered and investigation is also going on. So far 5 such complaints have come and investigation is being done in all these cases.”

He explained that deepfake videos are created with the help of computer algorithms by using multiple images of the same person. 

"I would appeal to people to be alert and report such videos and not forward them...." he added.  

Also read: Ranveer Singh flags risk of deepfake after AI video criticising political party goes viral: 'Deepfake se bacho…'

Both AI-generated videos of the actors end with the Congress election symbol and slogan: “Vote for Justice, Vote for Congress”

However, the actors have denied involvement in the videos. 

Khan filed a case in Mumbai against unknown individuals for impersonation and fraud. While Singh's father, Jugjeet Singh Bhavnani, filed an FIR against X user @sujataindia1st.

@sujataindia1st has been booked under relevant Indian Penal Code sections, including 417 (cheating), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 469 (forgery for the purpose of harming reputation), and provisions of the Information Technology Act.

AI-Generated Content in 2024 Lok Sabha Election Campaigns

AI-generated videos have paved their way in the Lok Sabha election process, underscoring the influence of Artificial Intelligence.

Similar technologies have been observed in election campaigns worldwide, including in the United States, Pakistan, and Indonesia.

Social media platforms have taken action against the dissemination of these videos, removing some but allowing others to remain accessible. 

However, the swift removal of such content poses challenges, and Mumbai Police officers told Reuters that such "technical investigations take time".