The Delhi High Court has issued a landmark directive to Meta Platforms Inc., requiring the immediate removal of deepfake videos of India TV Chairman Rajat Sharma from Facebook. These manipulated videos, created using Artificial Intelligence (AI), were allegedly promoting spurious medicines for conditions such as diabetes, prostatitis, and joint pain.

Justice Amit Bansal, presiding over the matter, emphasized the urgency of curbing misinformation and protecting individual rights. He ordered Meta to not only remove the videos but also disclose the names, addresses, email IDs, and phone numbers of the users responsible for sharing this content.

The court further directed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) to notify telecom operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to block or suspend access to websites, social media accounts, and other platforms found hosting such content. These actions are aimed at preventing the dissemination of doctored videos and protecting the plaintiff’s intellectual property rights.

The petition, filed through Senior Advocate Saikrishna Rajagopal, detailed how eight specific Facebook links propagated misleading information by using distorted AI-generated videos of Rajat Sharma. The manipulated content falsely claimed to promote government-certified remedies for serious health concerns, featuring endorsements purportedly from Sharma alongside other prominent personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan and Dr. Naresh Trehan.

The petition underscored the gravity of these actions, highlighting the infringement of personality rights, trademarks, and copyrights. It argued that false endorsements of fraudulent remedies tarnish Sharma’s reputation, particularly as a journalist whose credibility and trustworthiness are paramount. Unlike other celebrities endorsing lifestyle or luxury products, such associations for Sharma amplify the harm caused, misleading the public into believing in the efficacy of these dubious products.

Justice Bansal noted that the unauthorized use of Rajat Sharma’s image, voice, and trademarks violated intellectual property rights, diluting the goodwill and reputation associated with his name and India TV. The court restrained individuals or entities from misusing Sharma’s identity or the trademarks of India TV and its flagship show, ‘Aaj Ki Baat’.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 3, 2025.

This case highlights the increasing misuse of AI in creating deepfake content and the growing need for accountability among digital platforms. By mandating swift action from Meta and involving government agencies to block offending websites, the High Court’s ruling sets a precedent for safeguarding individual rights and combating the spread of misinformation.