Google and Shakti fight deepfakes in Indian elections

Google has partnered with Shakti, India Election Fact-Checking Collective, to combat deepfakes and misinformation leading to the general elections. The collaboration, active from 1 March until the end of the election period, provides a platform for fact-checkers and Indian language content publishers to share research resources, fact-checks, and alerts on viral misinformation.

During the election period, Google will offer training in advanced fact-checking methods, deepfake detection, and tools like the Fact Check Explorer.

In the wake of a collective agreement among major tech companies, including Google, to combat deceptive AI use, especially in deepfakes during political events, partnered Indian publishers will amplify verified information on their platforms.

Why does it matter?

Shakti, comprising Indian fact-checkers and news publishers, includes members like the Misinformation Combat Alliance, The Quint, India Today Group, Boom, and the Press Trust of India. The consortium aims to combat misinformation, and one of its members, the Misinformation Combat Alliance, recently collaborated with Meta to launch a dedicated fact-checking helpline on WhatsApp. The helpline is available in multiple languages and enables users to report deepfakes via a WhatsApp chatbot.

This effort aligns with a broader push by tech companies and government advisories, including measures from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to ensure responsible AI use and prevent bias and discrimination in the electoral process.