Deepfake Scandal: A Case of Identity Theft Hits India

"Babydoll Archi," a viral Instagram account created by manipulating the images of a real woman, has raised serious concerns about privacy and deepfake technology, leading to an investigation and potential legal repercussions for the creator.

In recent weeks, the troubling case of an Indian woman whose identity was appropriated for explicit AI-generated content has sparked discussions about privacy and the dangers of deepfake technology. The individual at the center of the controversy, known online as Babydoll Archi, quickly gained fame on Instagram, accumulating over 1.4 million followers through seductive dance videos and glamorous photos. However, the real woman behind the manipulated images, a homemaker identified here as Sanchi from Dibrugarh, was completely unaware of her digital exploitation until it became a sensational point of interest on social media.

The situation came to light when Sanchi's brother filed a police report alleging identity theft, which led to the arrest of her ex-boyfriend, Pratim Bora. Bora, a mechanical engineer with a keen interest in artificial intelligence, reportedly used private photos of Sanchi to craft a fake profile as a means of revenge following their breakup. Senior police officer Sizal Agarwal confirmed that Bora digitally morphed Sanchi's likeness, utilizing advanced tools to generate the content and monetize the account.

The account, which had surfaced in 2020, initially featured manipulated images that later evolved into sophisticated deepfake representations. Reviews of the financial activity linked to the account revealed that Bora may have earned as much as 1 million rupees within days before his arrest. His case highlights a disturbing trend where digital likenesses can be weaponized for personal vendettas, particularly against women.

Sanchi's family only became aware of the situation after the account gained viral traction, which underscores the challenges faced by victims of deepfake technology in recognizing and combating such abuse. Officer Agarwal expressed that had the police been notified earlier, the account's rise could have been stifled before it gained widespread attention.

Legal experts like Meghna Bal emphasize the difficulty in preemptively addressing such instances, attributing the content to a systemic issue regarding women’s privacy. The police have invoked various legal provisions regarding sexual harassment and cybercrime against Bora, which could result in a sentence of up to 10 years if found guilty.

The case has sparked outrage across social media, with calls for more robust laws to protect individuals from similar violations. While many existing laws could address the situation, experts warn that new regulations may need to be introduced to hold generative AI companies accountable without infringing on free speech rights.