Gurgaon: Medanta Hospital on Tuesday filed a complaint alleging that a “deepfake” video that features its chairperson and managing director Dr Naresh Trehan endorsing a weight loss drug is circulating on social media.
DCP (cybercrime) Siddhant Jain said an FIR was registered at the Cyber East police station against unidentified accused under sections 419 (impersonation for cheating) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC.
The Facebook link of the video, which features Dr Trehan’s face and voice, was deactivated after the complaint was filed.
Deepfake refers to content – audio, video and image – that is digitally altered using a type of artificial intelligence called deep learning. It is often used to create fake or hoax online content, mostly to spread misinformation.
According to the complaint by Medanta Health Care’s assistant vice-president for marketing, the matter was of “grave concern”.
“A fabricated video has surfaced on social media that contains misleading information about a medical treatment. The deep fake video features our CMD Dr Naresh Trehan who can be seen endorsing this particular medication,” the complaint said, adding that the clip “damages the reputation” of the hospital and Dr Trehan.
The 35-second clip, the complaint said, has the potential to create panic and confusion by making false claims about a medical breakthrough for obesity.
“I request you to take immediate action to remove the video from social media platforms and bring the perpetrators of this deceitful act to justice,” the complainant added.
DCP Jain said preliminary investigation suggests the video had manipulated voice recordings of the doctor and a news anchor.
“The doctor did not prescribe any such medication as mentioned in the deepfake video. We will be able to say what kind of technology was used to create the fake video after investigation. We have registered a case and started the investigation. A special team was formed to arrest the accused and we have already got credible leads regarding the same,” Jain said.
In January this year, Union minister of state for information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the central govt will notify rules that will mandate social media to tackle deepfakes. The rules were being considered as govt’s advisories to the companies weren’t enough, he had said.
