PIL Seeking Deepfake Regulation: Centre Tells Supreme Court It Has Already Framed AI Rules
SC Declines to Frame Deepfake Guidelines, Notes Centre Has Completed AI Rule-Making
The Supreme Court on Thursday disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a comprehensive regulatory and licensing framework to curb the misuse of deepfakes and AI-generated synthetic media, after the Union Government informed the bench that it has already formulated draft AI rules and released them for public comments.
The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi were hearing the matter.
Appearing for Meta, Senior Advocate Arvind Datar told the Court that the Centre has conducted multiple rounds of deliberations and stakeholder consultations before finalising the draft regulatory framework.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Facebook, added that the draft rules are now in the public domain for comments from all stakeholders.
The petition had sought directions for a licensing regime for AI systems capable of generating images, videos and audio impersonations of real people, citing rising instances of deepfake misuse and the absence of uniform safeguards. It pointed out that several High Courts have had to grant interim protection to victims of AI impersonation in the absence of a national framework.
Chief Justice Surya Kant noted that the Centre has already taken substantial steps by formulating guidelines and inviting public feedback. Since the regulatory process is underway, the Bench found no reason to issue further directions and accordingly disposed of the plea.
The underlying petition, filed under Article 32, had urged the Court to direct the Union Government to establish a national AI regulatory authority, mandate ethical licensing of AI systems and strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms on platforms such as Meta and Google. It argued that the unregulated proliferation of deepfake tools poses serious threats to dignity, privacy and constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 21, especially amid rising impersonation of celebrities, journalists and public figures.
With the Government’s assurance that AI rules are already in place for consultation, the Court declined to intervene further and accordingly, disposed of the PIL.
The plea filed by Aarati Sah through AOR Anilendra Pandey, stated that the unregulated use of such AI systems has led to widespread misuse, infringing the rights to privacy, dignity, and personality of citizens and public figures alike.
"Over the last year, AI technology has become easily accessible in India, and in the last few months, there has been a sharp rise in AI-generated content impersonating celebrities, journalists, and other public personalities. Multiple High Courts have already granted interim protection to victims of deepfakes, reflecting the urgency and genuineness of the problem. However, the absence of a national regulatory framework has resulted in fragmented judicial intervention and leaves citizens vulnerable to exploitation and defamation", the petition submits.
Citing examples of global jurisdictions, including the European Union, United States, China, and Singapore, which have implemented risk-based AI regulations, content labelling requirements, and enforcement mechanisms to prevent misuse of synthetic media, the petition argues that in India, the absence of such safeguards, coupled with ineffective reporting and grievance mechanisms on platforms such as Meta and Google/YouTube, has allowed AI-generated misinformation to spread unchecked, undermining constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 21.
Case Title: Aarati Sah v. Union of India
Hearing Date: December 4, 2025
Bench: CJ Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi