Legal Challenges of Deepfake and Synthetic Media in India

Deepfake and AI-generated synthetic media present unique threats to “individual rights” and “public order” in India. “Synthetic media” means any content such as images, videos, audios, or text which is created by any AI or machine techniques. Here this article researches the Indian legal framework considering these technologies. How statutes, especially the Information Technology Act, 2000 and other criminal laws, address impersonation, individual privacy violations, obscenity, and defamation arising from deepfakes. We analyse relevant constitutional rights, freedom of speech and privacy, and the extent of reasonable prohibitions. Legal rulings to deepfake misuse including recent injunctions in social-media cases are analysed. Finally, we emphasize enforcement challenges e.g. technical, evidentiary, and jurisdictional and offer recommendations, including legislative amendments, platform accountability, watermarking or labelling of synthetic content, and developments for law enforcement and courts. Our conclusions emphasize the need for a balanced outlook that protects individuals from damage while respecting free expression. Keywords: Deepfake, Artificial Intelligence, Personality Rights, Synthetic media