The government has debunked artificial intelligence-generated deepfake videos falsely portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal as making threatening remarks against students protesting over examination-related issues.
The manipulated videos were circulated through social media accounts allegedly linked to Pakistani propaganda networks. The government clarified that the remarks attributed to the Prime Minister and Goyal were fabricated and did not appear in the original recordings.
In Goyal’s case, footage of his interaction with the media outside Parliament was allegedly altered using artificial intelligence and circulated with the intention of spreading misinformation. The manipulated clip falsely showed the minister making threatening remarks against protesting students.
Goyal said that he had filed a police complaint over the video, following which an FIR was registered at Chanakyapuri Police Station in New Delhi on July 25. He stated that strict legal action would be pursued against those involved in creating, circulating or promoting the manipulated content.
“The misuse of technology and AI to mislead people cannot and will not be tolerated,” Goyal said, while urging citizens to rely on verified and authentic sources of information.
The government also flagged manipulated videos involving Prime Minister Modi. It clarified that the original footage had been digitally altered by adding fabricated audio and statements that the Prime Minister had never made. The unedited recordings were shared to establish the difference between the authentic footage and the AI-generated versions.
Several social media links carrying the deepfake video involving Goyal have since been taken down. Authorities have advised users to verify videos and other online content through official channels before sharing them, particularly amid the increasing use of generative AI tools to produce realistic but misleading media.
The combined action—including fact-checking the videos, removing related links and registering an FIR—addresses both the circulation of the manipulated content and the legal proceedings initiated in connection with it.
