Delhi HC orders removal of Vikas Divyakirti deepfakes and fake profiles
The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of fake profiles and deepfake videos using Drishti IAS founder Vikas Divyakirti's identity.
In a significant move to combat digital identity theft, the Delhi High Court has directed the removal of various online materials that allegedly use the identity of Drishti IAS founder Vikas Divyakirti without his permission. The court's order covers a wide range of content, including fraudulent social media profiles, deepfake videos, and unauthorized recordings of his educational lectures.
The legal intervention follows a plea filed by Divyakirti, a prominent educator and former civil servant, seeking protection against the unauthorized use of his name, image, and personality on various digital platforms. The plea highlighted how his likeness is being exploited to mislead the public.
Deepfakes and misleading endorsements
A major concern raised in the petition involved highly manipulated videos. Divyakirti’s legal team pointed out that certain deepfake videos portray him endorsing betting and trading platforms—content that was created entirely without his consent. These videos use advanced digital tools to make it appear as though he is promoting services that he has no connection to.
Furthermore, the court was informed about the circulation of clips from his lectures. According to his counsel, these videos are often edited or accompanied by misleading captions, presenting his words in a context that differs significantly from the original meaning of his lectures.
Court expresses concern over unregulated digital tools
During the proceedings, Justice AJ Bhambhani raised serious concerns regarding the accessibility of powerful digital tools capable of creating manipulated content. The judge noted that these tools are often available to users who remain completely anonymous, making it difficult to hold them accountable.
The hearing touched upon several complex legal and technological issues:
- Accountability of Platforms: Meta’s counsel, Advocate Varun Pathak, argued that social media platforms cannot be held responsible for every instance where a user misuses a feature, noting the limitations of collecting identifying information.
- The "Firearm Licence" Comparison: In a notable observation, the judge compared the regulation of powerful digital tools to the strict licensing requirements seen in the physical world, such as obtaining a firearm licence.
- Feature Misuse: Senior Advocate Diya Kapur, representing Divyakirti, highlighted features that allow users to overlay their own performances onto someone else's video, which can lead to existing content being repurposed in entirely different and potentially harmful contexts.
Scope of the Court's directions
The current directions from the Delhi High Court specifically target the removal of fake profiles and channels on platforms like YouTube and Instagram that use Divyakirti’s name and photograph. This also extends to the identified deepfake materials and other unauthorized content mentioned in the plea.
However, the court has left the door open for further legal debate regarding the more nuanced issue of edited lecture videos. The judiciary will still need to determine whether altering and re-captioning educational clips to change their intended meaning constitutes an infringement of copyright or personality rights.
Vikas Divyakirti, the founder and coaching head of the Delhi-based Drishti IAS, remains a highly influential figure in civil services coaching, making the protection of his digital identity a matter of significant public interest.