Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has filed a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against social media platforms Meta, Google, and X (formerly Twitter) over allegedly defamatory deepfake videos and posts related to the E20 ethanol policy. The court has permitted the suit, allowing Gadkari to proceed with legal action against the tech giants.
Gadkari, who has served as the Minister of Road Transport and Highways since 2014, has stated that he has no role in the formulation, implementation, or administration of the E20 policy, which mandates a 20% ethanol blend in petrol. He claims that the deepfake content falsely associates him with the policy, causing reputational harm.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the platforms accountable for failing to remove the alleged defamatory material. This case highlights the growing concern over deepfake technology and its misuse to spread false information about public figures. The Bombay High Court's permission allows the minister to initiate proceedings against the companies.
The E20 policy has been a subject of debate in India, with some stakeholders raising concerns about its impact. However, Gadkari has clarified his non-involvement in its execution. No further details on the specific posts or timelines were provided in the reports.