Fact Check: AI-Generated Deepfake Video Falsely Shows President Murmu Accusing PM Modi Over Rafale Jets

PIB Fact Check has issued a warning regarding a deepfake video of President Droupadi Murmu that contains misleading information intended to deceive the public.

New Delhi:

On Wednesday, PIB Fact Check identified and flagged a digitally manipulated video of President Droupadi Murmu being circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts. The video falsely claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using President Murmu as a promotional tool for Rafale fighter jets.

PIB Fact Check addressed this misinformation on social media platform X, stating: "Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally altered video of President Droupadi Murmu with false claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using her as a prop to elevate Rafale PR."

The deceptive video uses artificial intelligence to create a synthetic voice resembling President Murmu's, making fabricated allegations that she was being "blackmailed" by PM Modi's government to participate in Rafale-related activities.

The fabricated video includes false statements such as: "I want to request the citizens of our country that Modi Ji's Hindutva government blackmailed me and ordered me to sit in Rafale... If anything happens to me, Modi Ji and his Hindutva politics will be responsible."

PIB Fact Check emphatically denied these claims, confirming that "The President of India has NOT made any such statement."

The fact-checking unit emphasized that the video is AI-generated and distributed with the intention to mislead citizens. They also provided access to the authentic, unedited video and encouraged users to report such misinformation through official channels via WhatsApp at 91 8799711259 or email at factcheck@pib.gov.in.

This represents one of several recent instances of AI-generated misinformation addressed by PIB. Earlier this week, they alerted users about another manipulated video featuring Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that falsely promoted an "investment programme" with unrealistic promises of Rs 60,000 returns within 24 hours and Rs 10 lakh monthly income.

"A video on Facebook falsely shows Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman promoting an investment program that promises easy daily income. The Finance Minister or the Government of India has NOT launched or endorsed any such scheme," clarified PIB Fact Check in an official statement.

The agency urged citizens to be vigilant against "get-rich-quick traps" and to verify claims before making financial decisions.

"Don't fall for such get-rich-quick traps! Stay alert. Stay informed. Verify before you share," warned PIB.

PIB also provided guidance on identifying video manipulation indicators, such as unnatural lip movements, voice-visual desynchronization, inconsistent backgrounds, or fake logos, and recommended verifying links by ensuring official government websites use the ".gov.in" domain.

--IANS

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