The Indian government is gearing up to amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to include regulations addressing deepfakes, algorithmic bias on technology platforms, and the advertisement of instant loan mobile applications. Union Minister of State for Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced that the amended rules would be notified shortly, marking an effort to enhance digital media ethics and accountability.
Chandrasekhar highlighted that the amendments would specifically address issues related to misinformation and deepfakes. He emphasized the need for platforms to refrain from employing algorithms that lead to bias and artificial intelligence (AI) models prone to bias. The government aims to hold platforms accountable for ensuring unbiased algorithms and AI models, putting the onus on them to adopt comprehensive measures to prevent bias.
The upcoming amendments are a response to an advisory issued by the government last year regarding deepfakes. Chandrasekhar stated that the advisory had been issued with the intention of guiding platforms on addressing deepfakes, and the decision to amend the IT Rules was contingent on the level of compliance from the platforms. The impending amendments signify the government’s commitment to regulating digital media practices and enhancing ethical standards.
In addition to addressing deepfakes and algorithmic bias, the amended rules will incorporate provisions related to the advertisement of instant loan mobile applications on intermediary platforms. The government is concerned about the proliferation of such applications and their potential impact on users. By including regulations in the IT Rules, the authorities aim to curb misleading advertisements and practices associated with instant loan apps.
The Centre is also set to release draft rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, alongside the amendments to the IT Rules. The DPDP Act is a significant legislative framework focused on safeguarding individuals’ personal data and ensuring responsible data handling practices by businesses and organizations. The draft rules are expected to complement the government’s efforts to strengthen data protection and privacy in the digital realm.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar provided insights into the India AI Program, a comprehensive initiative with a budget exceeding ₹10,000 crore. The program aims to build databases for multiple domestic languages and develop indigenous computing infrastructure for various AI use cases. Chandrasekhar highlighted plans to create India’s own graphics processing units (GPUs) infrastructure, facilitating the scaling of domestic applications. The program envisions private-public partnerships with data centers in the private sector and public partnerships with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), emphasizing a twofold strategy.
As the Indian government moves forward with these regulatory and programmatic initiatives, it underscores the evolving landscape of digital governance, data protection, and AI development in the country. The amendments to the IT Rules and the introduction of the India AI Program reflect a proactive approach to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the digital ecosystem.
