Karnataka is witnessing a notable uptick in cybercrimes linked to deepfake technology, a trend that has become increasingly concerning given the potential for misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). The Karnataka Police have registered 12 deepfake cases recently, with seven reported in 2024 and five more by February of 2025. As deepfakes continue to mislead social media users, the potential for damage is both personal and widespread, leading many, including Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, to express alarm. In 2023, Murthy publicly urged vigilance after manipulated images and videos of him circulated, stressing the importance of reporting such incidents promptly.
One alarming case in Khanapur, Belagavi involved a 22-year-old Bengaluru man who used deepfake technology to create morphed images of a woman after his romantic advances were rejected. He created a fake digital profile using her name to share altered images, tarnishing her reputation. Such cases illustrate how deepfake crimes are often driven by personal grudges or revenge, as noted by a senior police official. “Deepfake cases are typically one-on-one crimes, where victims often have an idea of who might be responsible, simplifying the identification and apprehension process,” the official explained.
Despite the growing concern, deepfake incidents remain a smaller fraction of the broader cybercrime landscape in Karnataka. Over the past five years, the state has seen a sharp increase in overall cybercrime cases. In 2020, Karnataka recorded 10,959 cases, which dipped to 8,363 in 2021. By 2022, however, the numbers surged to 12,885, and the trend continued upwards, with 22,224 cases in 2023 and 22,415 in 2024. As of February 2025, there have been 2,251 recorded incidents.
In response to this rising tide, Home Minister G. Parameshwara noted in the Legislative Council that a Cyber Investigation Manual has been developed and distributed to all police stations in Karnataka. This manual provides comprehensive guidelines for investigating cybercrimes and aims to raise public awareness to prevent such offenses. Additionally, the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training & Research (CCITR) has been established to train police personnel to better handle these cases.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent budget announcement pledged a ₹5 crore grant to bolster the Cyber Crime Division. However, Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President of CyberPeace, an NGO and Cyber Policy Think Tank, critiqued this allocation. Kumar argues that the ideal budget should be closer to ₹50 crore, emphasizing the need for research, innovation, and collaboration with academic institutions and NGOs to effectively tackle complex cybercrimes.
As Karnataka grapples with the dual challenge of managing both conventional and new-age cyber threats like deepfakes, the focus remains on enhancing infrastructure and expertise to safeguard individuals and uphold digital security in the state.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnataka-reports-12-deepfake-related-cybercrime-cases-in-two-years/article69333474.ece
Category : Karnataka
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Publish Date: 2025-03-19 07:09:00
