Days after a viral video started making rounds on social media and was linked to YouTuber PayalDhare, popularly known as Payal Gaming, the Maharashtra Cyber Police have confirmed that the video is an AI-generated deepfake.
The Office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra State Cyber Department, has issued a certificate after the examination of the video using forensic and technological tools.
According to officials, the video was found to have been tampered with and digitally altered in the detailed examination. The certificate, dated December 19, concluded that the clip was created using AI-based deepfake technology.
The examination and certification were conducted after the cyber police registered a criminal case based on a formal complaint filed by PayalDhare.
The certificate stated, "The video was analysed using the technology available with the Maharashtra State Cyber Department. It is hereby certified that the aforesaid video has been tampered with and modified. The analysis confirms that the video is a deepfake created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology."
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Payal Dhare has taken to Instagram to thank the cyber police for their investigation and quick action. She further requested that the media outlets and others not share, speculate, or draw conclusions about the deepfake.
She added that legal action is being pursued against those who created and circulated the video. Meanwhile, the cops have also warned that sharing such obscene or misleading content online is a punishable offence under the IT Act's Section 67.
The mentioned section provides a fine of Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment for up to three years. On repeated violations, the penalties could be harsher.
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Who is Payal Dhare?
Dhare is a renowned Indian gamer, livestreamer, and content creator. She goes online as Payal Gaming and began streaming in 2019.
She joined S8UL Esports, which gave her a rise to prominence. Payal has over 4.5 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 4 million followers on Instagram. She is widely known for livestreaming popular titles, such as PUBG, BGMI, GTA V and Call of Duty.