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State PCS




Mains Marathon

  • 08 Aug 2025 GS Paper 4 Case Studies

    Day 47: You are serving as the District Magistrate of a metropolitan city ahead of a major election. In recent weeks, there has been a surge in the circulation of deepfake videos on social media platforms. Some of these videos depict prominent political leaders making inflammatory statements they never actually made, while others target private citizens with fabricated compromising content.

    A viral deepfake showing a local religious leader making derogatory remarks has already triggered communal tension in parts of the city. The police cyber cell has traced the source to multiple anonymous accounts operating from outside the state, but arrests are proving difficult due to jurisdictional issues and the rapid spread of the content.

    Civil society groups are demanding immediate action, claiming that inaction will fuel misinformation and social unrest. However, political parties are accusing the administration of bias, alleging that the selective targeting of certain content violates freedom of expression. Meanwhile, journalists warn that overreach in curbing deepfakes could be used as a pretext to suppress legitimate dissent.

    Adding to the complexity, a tech startup in your district has offered an AI-based detection tool for a free trial, but it requires access to large datasets of citizens’ images and voices, raising privacy concerns. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also directed you to ensure that law and order is maintained without unduly restricting digital freedoms.

    A. Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in this case.

    B. How would you ensure a balanced approach that addresses the deepfake threat while safeguarding freedom of expression?

    C. What values of public administration should guide you in handling this crisis? (250 words)

    Approach

    • Identify facts, stakeholders, and ethical dilemmas arising from the situation.
    • Examine the competing values and legal-ethical frameworks applicable.
    • Suggest a balanced, practical, and principled course of action aligned with constitutional morality and administrative values.

    Introduction

    Deepfakes, by blending AI technology with malicious intent, can cause misinformation, defamation, and communal unrest. In a democratic setup, the challenge is to curb such threats while protecting constitutional freedoms, privacy, and public trust.

    Stakeholders

    Stakeholder

    Interest / Concern

    Citizens (general public)

    Protection from misinformation, communal harmony, privacy rights

    Targeted individuals (leaders, citizens)

    Protection from defamation and harm to reputation

    Political parties

    Fair political environment, avoidance of bias

    Civil society groups

    Action against misinformation, preservation of freedoms

    Journalists & media

    Safeguarding free press, preventing censorship

    Police & cyber cell

    Enforcement of law, jurisdictional constraints

    Tech startup

    Opportunity to test AI tool, business expansion

    Ministry of Home Affairs

    Maintaining law & order, upholding constitutional rights

    A. Ethical Issues Involved

    • Truth vs. Falsehood – Deepfakes undermine authenticity, eroding trust in public communication.
    • Freedom of Expression vs. Harm Prevention – Balancing Article 19(1)(a) with reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).
    • Privacy vs. Public Safety – Dataset access for detection tools may infringe privacy (Article 21).
    • Bias vs. Neutrality – Ensuring political impartiality in enforcement.
    • Technology Ethics – Using AI responsibly with safeguards against misuse.
    • Rule of Law – Acting within jurisdiction and legal mandates.
    • Transparency & Accountability – Avoiding arbitrary censorship.

    B. Balanced Approach to Address Deepfake Threat While Safeguarding Freedom of Expression

    • Immediate Containment Measures: Coordinate with social media platforms to flag and remove harmful content swiftly.
      • Issue public advisories debunking viral deepfakes through official channels.
      • Deploy fact-checking cells with verified, timely counter-information.
    • Legal & Procedural Steps: Invoke IT Act, 2000 and IPC provisions for cybercrime and defamation.
      • Request inter-state cooperation under CrPC Sections 166A & 166B for investigation.
    • Technological Solutions with Safeguards: Trial AI-based detection tool with anonymised datasets or synthetic test data to protect privacy.
      • Ensure independent technical audit before full-scale deployment.
    • Stakeholder Engagement: Convene multi-party and civil society meetings to ensure political neutrality.
      • Maintain media briefings to promote transparency and prevent rumours.
    • Long-Term Measures: Digital literacy campaigns on identifying manipulated content.
      • Recommend legislative strengthening for deepfake regulation.

    C. Values of Public Administration to Guide Action

    • Integrity – Ensuring impartial action irrespective of political pressure.
    • Objectivity – Evidence-based decision-making, not influenced by personal or political bias.
    • Accountability – Transparent communication of steps taken and rationale.
    • Rule of Law – Acting strictly within legal provisions and constitutional mandates.
    • Empathy – Recognising the harm and trauma caused to targeted individuals.
    • Non-partisanship – Equal treatment for all parties and communities.
    • Prudence – Balancing immediate public safety with long-term digital rights.
    • Commitment to Public Service – Upholding communal harmony and citizen trust.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, addressing the deepfake menace requires upholding truth while protecting liberty. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.” By acting with integrity, impartiality, and prudence, the administration can ensure both digital safety and democratic freedom.

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