The Bombay High Court has mandated the immediate removal of deepfake and defamatory online content targeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, describing the material as “absolutely vile” and “abusive”. The court’s directive specifically addresses posts related to the E20 ethanol policy.

The bench issued instructions to various social media platforms and intermediaries, including Meta, X Corp, and Google LLC, to take down the content identified by Mr. Gadkari. This ruling underscores the judiciary’s stance on the proliferation of misleading and harmful digital content.

During the proceedings, the court raised a significant question regarding the operational procedures of these platforms. It specifically inquired whether Meta, X Corp, and Google LLC possessed any internal mechanisms to proactively identify and remove such objectionable posts without necessitating an individual to seek a court order. This line of questioning highlights a broader concern about the self-regulatory capabilities of digital intermediaries in combating online defamation and misinformation.

The deepfake content in question is reportedly linked to public discourse surrounding the E20 ethanol policy, a government initiative promoting the use of fuel with 20% ethanol blend. The court's intervention aims to curb the spread of fabricated narratives and protect public figures from targeted online campaigns.

The order serves as a notable development in the ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by deepfake technology and its potential for misuse in public discourse and political spheres. It reinforces the expectation for social media companies to implement robust content moderation policies.