Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant, serving as the chief guest at The Second Law and Constitution Dialogue presented by NewsX and Legally Speaking at the NDMC Convention Centre in Delhi, voiced deep concerns about the societal risks posed by the growing menace of deepfakes.
Justice Surya Kant, emphasizing the pivotal role of the media as a bridge between the legal realm and the public, remarked, “The media can bolster and also undermine the power of justice. Building upon his previous speech at the 1st Dialogue in November 2022 regarding the media’s responsibility in legal reportage, he urged the media to adhere to principles of truth, objectivity, and accuracy in their reporting.
A significant portion of Justice Surya Kant’s address was dedicated to the impact of social media, with a specific focus on the alarming rise of deepfakes. “Deepfake is manipulating perceptions, and it compromises the foundation of truth & trust, which is a matter of great concern. Deepfakes have led to tarnishing individuals’ reputations,” expressed the Supreme Court Judge, highlighting the serious societal risk posed by this phenomenon.
Drawing attention to a notorious example, Justice Surya Kant recalled the viral deepfake video featuring Hillary Clinton, where she was falsely depicted torturing a young girl. He emphasized the potential harm such manipulations could inflict on average citizens who may lack the means to combat these distortions.
Calling for immediate action, Justice Surya Kant stressed, “We must ensure that AI humanity progresses towards truth.” In addition to deepfakes, the Chief Justice addressed the pervasive issues of fake news on social media and social media cyberbullying. He warned against the exacerbation of the problem with the introduction of paid verification and proposed comprehensive laws targeting fake news and the establishment of governance boards on social media platforms as potential solutions.
Speaking on the concerning issue of cyberbullying, Justice Surya Kant revealed that 80% of Indian children reported instances of cyberbullying, acknowledging that the actual number could be higher due to underreporting. The Supreme Court Judge underscored the need for collective efforts to address these challenges and safeguard the principles of truth and justice in the digital age.
