Case filed against Meta India head over AI-generated videos of PM Modi

Meta India's head faces an FIR as Hyderabad Police investigate the spread of AI-morphed videos of PM Modi on Facebook and Instagram, days after the Cyber Crime Police summoned the company to explain its mechanisms for detecting and removing AI-generated scams and manipulated content.

In Short

• Police investigate origin and spread of AI-morphed PM Modi videos
• Hyderabad Cyber Police probe Meta's role in AI misinformation spread
• FIR follows police summons to Meta representative over AI content safeguards

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered an FIR against the head of Meta India, Arun Srinivas, and several social media users over the circulation of AI-generated morphed videos targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that have been circulating since Cockroach Janta Party-led students' stir at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

According to police sources, the case relates to the spread of manipulated videos on Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Investigators suspect the content may have misled the public and are probing possible violations of provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

The Cyber Crime Police are investigating the origin of the AI-generated videos, how they were amplified across social media platforms, and whether Meta's existing safeguards were adequate to curb their circulation. The probe will also examine the role of individuals accused of creating, uploading or sharing the manipulated content.

The FIR comes days after the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police summoned Meta representatives to explain the company's mechanisms for detecting and removing AI-generated scams, fake advertisements and other manipulated content.

A Meta representative reportedly appeared before investigators and briefed them on the company's content moderation and compliance measures.

The case underscores the growing scrutiny of social media platforms over the spread of AI-generated misinformation and the responsibility of intermediaries to prevent the circulation of harmful content.

Police said the investigation is still at a preliminary stage and that no conclusions have been reached. Further action, they added, will be based on the digital evidence gathered during the course of the probe.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a Zero FIR has been registered against a woman for allegedly making objectionable remarks against PM Modi during a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar last week.

The FIR was lodged on July 29 at the Expressway police station in Gautam Buddh Nagar following a complaint by Smriti Singh, a Ghaziabad resident, against Ruchika Singh of Noida.

According to the complaint, Ruchika Singh allegedly used "abusive and objectionable" language against the Prime Minister during the July 23 protest, allegedly undermining the dignity of the constitutional office.

The complainant further alleged that the remarks were intended to incite ill-will, spread hatred and disturb public peace, with the potential to create social discord and disrupt communal harmony.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Sections 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 353(1) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(1) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), officials said.

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