The Delhi High Court has issued a landmark directive ordering Google LLC to proactively deploy technological tools to remove misleading AI-generated content involving Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha Foundation.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora's ruling addressed the persistent problem of fake YouTube advertisements and doctored visuals that falsely claim Sadhguru’s arrest or otherwise misuse his likeness. The court mandated that Google must collaborate with Sadhguru's representatives to establish a system for identifying and taking down this harmful content, preventing the need for the plaintiff to report every single instance.
This directive is significant because it reinforces Google's obligation under India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules require digital platforms to use tech-based solutions for content moderation. The court stated Google must either meet this obligation or file an affidavit explaining its inability to do so.
The judgment underscores the major challenge posed by sophisticated deepfake campaigns to the rights and reputation of public figures. It sets a critical blueprint for legal accountability in the digital era, emphasizing the urgent need for robust, technology-driven safeguards to maintain authenticity and trust online.
