Several social media links carrying an AI-generated deepfake video of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal have been taken down after he alleged that his remarks to the media outside Parliament were maliciously altered to spread misinformation. Government sources said action was taken following the minister's complaint, as authorities moved to limit the circulation of the manipulated content across online platforms.
According to Goyal, the viral video falsely portrayed him as making threatening remarks about students protesting over the NEET examination issue. He said the clip had been created using artificial intelligence to distort his original comments and mislead the public. The minister filed a police complaint, and an FIR was registered at Delhi's Chanakyapuri Police Station, with officials promising strict legal action against those responsible for creating and distributing the deepfake.
The incident also prompted a warning from the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check Unit, which said Pakistani propaganda accounts were circulating the fabricated AI-generated video. Authorities urged citizens to verify information through trusted and official sources rather than relying on manipulated videos or unverified social media posts, highlighting the growing threat posed by AI-generated misinformation.
The case underscores the increasing challenge governments face in combating AI-powered deepfakes, particularly when they target public figures or sensitive political issues. As generative AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, incidents like this are driving calls for faster detection, stronger platform enforcement, and stricter legal measures to curb the misuse of AI for misinformation and public deception.
