NAVIGATING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT AND ENHANCING PREDICTIVE POLICING IN THE ERA OF DEEPFAKES: LEGAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS

In the contemporary digital era, deep fakes and synthetic media have become an issue that has presented new problems to the legal systems worldwide including the IPC. This study outlines deepfakes starting with the technicality of creating deepfake videos, and the manipulation that goes into producing synthetic media. It further seeks to highlight the current legal provisions under the IPC concerning specific sections 354C, 499 & 503 of the IPC. It evaluates the punitive legislation and the outcomes of these provisions in fighting the misuse of deepfakes. The consequences of these findings are relevant since they create a need for an updated legal framework with the use of technology solutions.

Understanding how other countries are approaching deepfakes can be instructive for India’s legal frameworks and comparative analysis of international legal approaches therefore holds important lessons for the country. The present study contributes by adding value to knowledge providing a comprehensive understanding of global issues providing sound advice on how India can improve its legal fight against deepfakes. It further examines the law and ethics of criminalizing deepfakes, while trying to prevent harm to people but having to consider the rights to freedom of speech and privacy at the same time. Based on the existing structure of the legislation, proposals for procedural reforms are developed to improve the work of the IPC on cases of crimes related to deepfakes. Prevention of deep fakes is considered by focusing on raising the public’s awareness, which would educate society about being victimized by synthetic media manipulation It provides the use of deep fakes with real celebrity cases and explains the severe impact on them. Thus, this research calls for an integrated approach to mitigate the troubles of deepfakes.