India, the world’s largest democracy, is currently in the midst of its most extensive election ever. The 2024 Indian general elections are unfolding in seven phases, with two already completed. With an estimated 960 million eligible voters in a population of 1.4 billion, the vast number of individuals represents a significant target for the dissemination of fake news and deepfake content, especially on social media platforms.
According to the ‘2023 State of Deepfakes Report’ by ‘Home Security Heroes,’ a US-based web security services company, the year 2023 saw over 95,000 deepfakes online, marking a remarkable 550 per cent increase since 2019. The impact of deepfakes has been felt in countries such as the USA, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, particularly during elections. India was identified as the sixth most vulnerable nation to the threat of deepfakes according to the report.
McAfee, a global security software company, reported that approximately 22 per cent of Indians surveyed had encountered a political deepfake that they later discovered to be false. With deepfakes expected to play a significant role in the upcoming election season worldwide, voters are encouraged to exercise caution before believing or sharing news.
To aid in the detection of fake and deepfake news, particularly concerning elections, here are four websites:
- Myth vs Reality:
Maintained by the Election Commission of India, this register debunks fake news related to Indian elections, promoting transparency and accurate communication. - Deepfakes Analysis Unit:
Run by the Misinformation Combat Alliance, this unit scrutinizes AI-generated content, manipulated media, and deepfakes with contributions from various stakeholders. - Check4Spam:
Founded by IT professionals from Bangalore, this platform verifies news circulating on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter, aiming to combat spam. - BOOM:
Operating in India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, BOOM fights misinformation across multiple languages and provides fact-checking services on various topics, including political statements and rumors.
