Sachin Tendulkar Targeted: Deepfake Video Raises Concerns, Prompts Government Response
New Delhi, 17th January 2024: Former Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has become the latest victim of deepfake technology, as a video promoting a batting app featuring him circulated on social media. The cricketer himself shared the video on his X account, expressing concern about the misuse of technology.
In the video shared by Sachin Tendulkar, he is seen promoting a betting app called ‘Skyward Aviator Quest’ and claiming that his daughter is earning well from the game. Sachin clarified in his post that the video is fake and was created to deceive people. He urged his followers to report such misleading content promptly.
Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, retweeted Sachin’s post, advising people to be cautious and avoid falling for such deceptive deepfake videos. He emphasized that the misuse of artificial intelligence-powered deepfakes and misinformation poses a threat to the security and trust of Indian users, violating laws that platforms are obligated to uphold.
Chandrashekhar further stated that the government is planning to introduce stringent rules under the IT Act soon. These rules aim to ensure compliance by platforms in tackling the proliferation of deepfakes and misinformation. The intent is to enhance user security and build trust in digital platforms by curbing the spread of deceptive content.
The incident involving Sachin Tendulkar adds to a growing list of celebrities who have fallen victim to deepfake technology in recent months.
