Viral Video of Rashmika Mandanna in Elevator Revealed as Deepfake, Raises Concerns Over AI Misuse

 

The recent viral video featuring actress Rashmika Mandanna stepping into an elevator turned out to be a deepfake, raising concerns about the misuse of advanced AI technology. Originally posted by Zara Patel, a British woman of Indian descent, the video went unnoticed for almost a month, garnering over 12 million views on social media, especially X (Twitter). The deepfake seamlessly superimposed Rashmika Mandanna’s face onto Zara Patel’s body, creating a convincing yet fabricated video.

The alarming aspect is the difficulty in detecting such deepfakes, which can spread misinformation and deceive people. The growing use of AI to create realistic deepfakes poses a threat to individuals’ privacy and reputation. This incident follows a pattern, with celebrities like Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson having been victims of similar manipulations.

The concerning aspect extends beyond privacy invasion; deepfakes challenge the reliability of videos as evidence in legal proceedings. As deepfakes blur the lines between reality and fabrication, trust in visual evidence is eroding, presenting a serious challenge to legal systems.

To address this issue, there is a pressing need for the Indian government to implement strict laws against the misuse of deepfakes, holding those responsible accountable. Safeguarding individuals’ identities and integrity in the digital age is crucial, and swift action is essential to mitigate the potential harm caused by the misuse of deepfake technology.