Not A Recent Issue: Sunny Leone On Falling Prey To Deepfakes

In November 2023, Rashmika Mandanna strongly condemned the misuse of technology after her deepfake video surfaced, urging for necessary actions. During a recent interview with India Today, Sunny Leone discussed the concerning trend of celebrities becoming victims of deepfakes, disclosing that she herself had been targeted for several years. She emphasised that deepfakes are not a recent problem, contrary to popular belief.

When questioned about the sharing of morphed photos of actor Anushka Sen accompanied by derogatory comments online, Sunny Leone commented, "These things have happened to me but honestly, I don't think about it much. I don't let it affect me psychologically or mentally."

Sunny Leone On Falling Prey To Deepfakes

Sunny Leone conveyed that young girls facing the stigma of their identity being misused should recognise that it is not their fault; they have done nothing wrong. In such situations, they have the option to approach the cyber cell and provide details to the officers about the case. By informing them that their identity and likeness have been misused, the police will take appropriate action. Additionally, there is technical assistance available on social media platforms where they can report such issues. She emphasised that the system is supportive, and they just need to take the necessary steps.

Discussing the issue of deepfakes, Leone mentioned that celebrities find it challenging to take precautions because it ultimately depends on the intentions of those creating these malicious videos and photos. She emphasised that, currently, everyone is exploring ways to navigate artificial intelligence (AI).

The actor further expressed, "It is the shiny new penny at the moment and everyone is trying new things out. More than the fear of being replaced, celebrities are worried about their likeness being misused. We saw that happening a lot last year where fake photos, videos and even voices were put out, leading to a menace... It's a menace that's been going on for a long time. It's not a recent issue as many believe it to be."

Last year, a deepfake video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna circulated widely on social media. In response, she emphasised the need for collective action, stating that people should come together as a community to address this issue as 'technology is being misused.'