Fake News Threatens Democracy, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw; Govt Plans Tougher Rules For Social Media & AI Deepfakes

Delhi: Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday issued a sharp warning in the Lok Sabha, stating that fake news and AI-powered deepfakes have become a serious danger to India’s democratic fabric. Addressing questions related to online misinformation, the minister stressed that social media platforms must be held accountable and stricter regulatory tools are now essential.

Vaishnaw said that certain digital ecosystems are deliberately bypassing constitutional norms, misusing social platforms to spread falsehoods and influence public opinion. He added that the scale and speed at which misinformation travels require a robust legal response.

Stronger Rules Already Underway

The minister informed Parliament that the government has recently introduced new rules, including a mandate that digital platforms must take down flagged content within 36 hours.
Additionally, a draft framework for identifying and removing AI-generated deepfakes has been released for public consultation, considering the rapidly evolving capabilities of artificial intelligence.

“These issues involve a fine balance between protecting free speech and safeguarding our democracy. The government is approaching this matter with utmost sensitivity,” Vaishnaw said.

Parliamentary Committee Praised

Vaishnaw acknowledged the efforts of the Parliamentary Committee led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, praising the panel for producing a comprehensive report recommending stronger legal safeguards against online manipulation and fake news networks.

Digital India’s Role

The minister also highlighted how the Digital India mission, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has expanded access to technology and transformed the country’s digital ecosystem. However, he said that this progress also makes it crucial to ensure citizens are protected from malicious content and coordinated misinformation campaigns.