Truth Over Entertainment: Sara Tendulkar Hits Back At Her Deepfake Photos

The surge in AI's accessibility has led to a concerning trend: deep fake images of celebrities circulating online. Recently, Sara Tendulkar, daughter of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, has become a target. Multiple fake accounts with deep fake images of Tendulkar have appeared on X, previously known as Twitter, causing distress and raising alarm about this issue.

On her Instagram, she addressed the issue of fake accounts on X, expressing her worry about the misuse of technology. She highlighted that while social media is a platform for sharing experiences, the misuse of technology undermines truth and authenticity online. She mentioned encountering deep-fake images of herself that were misleading and far from reality.

Sara Tendulkar Hits Back After Her Deepfake Photos

In a candid revelation on Instagram, Sara expressed her dismay at the deceptive misuse of her identity. "Social media is a wonderful space for all of us to share our joys, sorrows, and daily activities. However, it is disconcerting to see the misuse of technology as it takes away from the truth and authenticity of the internet," she shared.

She added, "A few accounts on X (formerly Twitter) have obviously been created with an intent to impersonate me and mislead people. I do not have an account on X, and I hope X looks into such accounts and suspends them."

She further added, "Entertainment should never come at the expense of the truth. Let's encourage communication that’s based on trust and reality."

Deepfakes on the Rise

Sara's ordeal is not isolated, as celebrities like Rashmika Mandanna, Kajol, and Katrina Kaif grapple with deep-fake manipulation. Deepfakes encompass manipulated media forms—videos, images, or audio files—crafted using sophisticated artificial intelligence methodologies, particularly employing deep learning algorithms.

Government's Stand Against Deepfakes:

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi identified deepfakes as a significant threat to India. He emphasised their potential to sow disorder in society and urged media outlets to play a crucial role in educating the public about the dangers associated with deepfakes.

Moreover, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar commented on the deepfake AI video, emphasizing the need for platforms to address and combat such harmful misinformation.

PM @narendramodi ji's Govt is committed to ensuring Safety and Trust of all DigitalNagriks using Internet

Under the IT rules notified in April, 2023 - it is a legal obligation for platforms to

➡️ensure no misinformation is posted by any user AND

➡️ensure that when reported by… https://t.co/IlLlKEOjtd

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) November 6, 2023

Suggested Reading: Kajol, Katrina & Other Celebrities Who Faced Deepfake Deceptions