The individual in question, identified as Eemani Naveen, works as a digital marketer.
A 24-year-old individual, arrested for producing and disseminating a deepfake video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna, admitted to the police that his motive was to increase followers on Instagram. The alleged mastermind behind the incident, which triggered a nationwide discussion on the implications of deepfakes, was apprehended in Andhra Pradesh and is being transported to New Delhi.
Deepfakes represent a type of synthetic media generated through artificial intelligence, utilizing advanced algorithms to manipulate both visual and audio components. The term gained attention in 2017 when a Reddit user introduced a platform for sharing manipulated videos.
The accused, identified as Eemani Naveen, works as a digital marketer. Delhi Police located Naveen after scrutinizing more than 500 social media accounts linked to the deepfake video.
In the course of the investigation, the 24-year-old admitted to the offense, stating that he produced the video with the aim of increasing his followers on Instagram.
Naveen, expressing his admiration for Rashmika Mandanna, disclosed that he used to manage a fan page dedicated to the actor. He crafted a deepfake video featuring the ‘Animal’ actor and shared it on the fan page. Upon realizing the rapid viral spread of the post and a substantial surge in followers, he became apprehensive about potential consequences.
To evade trouble, Naveen promptly deleted the posts, altered the Instagram channel name, and eliminated relevant digital data from his devices. The video initially featured British-Indian influencer Zara Patel entering an elevator in a black outfit, but with the aid of deepfake technology, Patel’s face seamlessly transformed into that of Rashmika Mandanna.
The widespread impact of the viral deepfake video led the government to issue an advisory to social media platforms, emphasizing the legal provisions related to deepfakes and the potential penalties associated with their creation and dissemination.