India Grapples with Surge in Fake News and Deepfakes: Study Highlights Alarming Trends and Calls for Collective Action
New Delhi – A recent study conducted by the Indian School of Business (ISB) and CyberPeace has revealed a concerning rise in fake news and deepfake concerns across India. The study, which focused on user behavior and perceptions, paints a stark picture of how misinformation spreads and impacts various segments of Indian society. This alarming trend comes as the government acknowledges the severity of the issue and announces its commitment to developing indigenous tools to combat it.
The ISB and CyberPeace research underscores the pervasiveness of fake news and deepfakes within the Indian digital landscape, particularly on social media platforms. The study analyzed a substantial volume of fake news stories, categorizing them by subject matter. The findings reveal a disturbing pattern: political fake news accounts for a staggering 46% of the total, followed by general issues at 33.6%, and religious misinformation at 16.8%. These three categories alone constitute a vast majority (94%) of the analyzed fake news instances, indicating the vulnerability of these areas to manipulation and disinformation campaigns.
Social media platforms have emerged as the primary vector for the spread of misinformation, responsible for 77.4% of fake news instances compared to just 23% originating from traditional mainstream media. Within the social media sphere, Twitter and Facebook stand out as the dominant platforms for disseminating fake news, accounting for 61% and 34% of cases respectively. This highlights the urgent need for greater accountability from these platforms in regulating the spread of false information and protecting users from malicious content.
The study’s findings raise serious concerns about the impact of fake news on democratic processes, social cohesion, and individual well-being. The prevalence of politically motivated fake news poses a direct threat to fair elections and informed public discourse. The spread of misinformation related to general issues can erode public trust in institutions and create unnecessary anxiety and confusion. Similarly, the circulation of fake news regarding religion can exacerbate existing social divisions and fuel communal tensions.
Responding to these concerns, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw recently addressed the Parliament, emphasizing the government’s commitment to tackling the issue of fake news and deepfakes. He highlighted the government’s plan to develop indigenous tools to address the problem, coupled with a focus on fostering robust debate and promoting responsible innovation. The minister also stressed the importance of holding social media platforms accountable for the content they host and the need for a stronger legal framework to address the challenges posed by the evolving digital landscape.
Experts and stakeholders concur that combating the menace of fake news and deepfakes requires a multi-faceted approach involving government action, technological solutions, and increased public awareness. Major Vineet Kumar, Global President and Founder of CyberPeace, emphasized the need for collective action: "The fight against fake news and misinformation requires collective action. While governments and organisations must take the lead in creating secure ecosystems, individual responsibility is equally critical." He further underlined CyberPeace’s commitment to building safer digital spaces through awareness campaigns, collaboration, and innovative solutions to counter these growing threats. Professor Manish Gangwar, Executive Director, ISB Institute of Data Science, echoed this sentiment, stating: "This study underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to combatting misinformation. We need to focus not just on technological solutions but also on enhancing media literacy, improving reporting mechanisms, and fostering responsible online behaviour." The convergence of technological advancements, legal frameworks, and individual responsibility will be crucial in mitigating the harmful effects of fake news and safeguarding the integrity of information in the digital age. Addressing the root causes of misinformation, including information asymmetry and lack of media literacy, is equally critical to building a more resilient and informed society. The challenge before India is to strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and ensuring a responsible and accountable digital environment. The ongoing debate on social media regulation and the development of effective tools to identify and counter fake news will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of information dissemination in the country.