The Delhi High Court told social media platforms to act quickly when users report deepfakes, saying, “People should not be made to come to court for issues like these.” Justice Manmeet Arora warned that the court cannot become a grievance redressal forum for such complaints.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday said that when someone informs that their deepfake videos are being created and shared on social media, online platforms must take quick action instead of waiting for a court order.
The court was hearing the case, where senior journalist Rajat Sharma had complained about fake and manipulated videos of him circulating on YouTube.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora made strong observations on how social media intermediaries should act responsibly in such cases.
The judge said,
“Once a party, whose deepfake is being made, says it is a deepfake, where is the question of investigation?”
She further noted that people should not have to approach courts for such matters and that the legal system in place should work efficiently on its own.
“People should not be made to come to court for issues like these unless it is a contested issue… Why am I being made the grievance redressal officer [of social media platform]?”
Justice Arora remarked, expressing her frustration over how repeated instances of deepfakes were making the court act like a grievance redressal forum.
The judge also added that these issues should be easily resolved by the platforms themselves through their grievance redressal officers, without the need for long court proceedings.
“Such repeated instances have turned the Court into a grievance redressal forum,”
she observed, adding that she often has to “pass 30-page orders” for matters that “could be handled by the grievance redressal officer in two pages.”
In this case, Rajat Sharma filed an application in his pending personality rights suit, asking the Court to order the removal of fake videos made using his likeness.
These videos, posted by several YouTube channels, falsely showed him giving investment tips and spreading misleading news.
After hearing the matter, the Delhi High Court directed that YouTube be made a party to the case and ordered the platform to remove all the flagged content.
The Court further clarified that if more such deepfake videos of Sharma appear in the future, he can approach YouTube directly, and the platform must take them down within 48 hours.
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The judgment highlights the growing concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in India.
It also emphasizes the responsibility of social media companies to act promptly when users report deepfake or fake content about themselves, without forcing them to go through lengthy legal processes.
Justice Arora’s remarks serve as an important reminder to social media platforms that the statutory mechanism must function effectively so that courts are not overburdened with complaints that can be handled internally.
Case Title:
Rajat Sharma & Anr v Tamara doc & Ors
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