‘So many AI images are circulated against my will’: Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan raise concerns over AI misuse; experts on the dark side of identity misuse

Varun agreed with her concerns about misuse, saying, “Technology is helpful, but it has its demerits. Laws and regulations are needed to protect actors and their identity from being misused,” he said. At the same time, he emphasised that actors remain irreplaceable due to their unique “X-factor” that no algorithm can replicate.

These concerns are not limited to celebrities alone. Manipulated images, fake content, and AI-generated material have already begun affecting everyday people. 

So, how can ordinary people protect themselves from AI-generated fake images or manipulated content being circulated online without their consent?

IPS Shiv Prakash Devaraju, currently serving as SP Lokaayukta Bengaluru, Karnataka, tells indianexpress.com, “In cases of AI-manipulated images, time is the most critical factor. Victims must immediately preserve digital evidence, screenshots, links, and any metadata because this becomes the foundation of our investigation. They should file a complaint without delay through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or directly with the police. Once a case reaches our cybercrime unit, we initiate parallel action: one track focuses on takedown requests to platforms under due process, while the other pursues the originators through digital forensics and IP tracing.”

From a legal standpoint, he adds that such acts attract provisions under the Information Technology Act, including Section 66E for violation of privacy, and depending on the nature of the content, provisions of the IPC, such as Section 354C or 509, may also apply. In aggravated cases where intent to outrage modesty or extort is established, even stricter sections are invoked.

Cybercrime units are now equipped with forensic capabilities to identify manipulated images (Source: Freepik)

Potential psychological and social consequences of having fake AI images of oneself spread on social media

Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director, Cadabam’s Hospitals, mentions, “The psychological toll can be significant. Victims often experience distress, anxiety, and a deep sense of violation when they see their identity misused without consent. It can also affect self-esteem, trigger feelings of helplessness, and in some cases lead to long-term mistrust of digital spaces.” 

She adds that socially, such images can damage reputations, strain personal relationships, and create misunderstandings in professional environments. 

With the rise of AI-generated fake images, how is law enforcement preparing to tackle cases where an individual’s identity or reputation is compromised online?

Devaraju stresses, “We are seeing a sharp increase in crimes where AI is misused to damage reputations. Our response has to be as fast and as intelligent as the technology itself. Cybercrime units are now equipped with forensic capabilities to identify manipulated images, and we are in constant coordination with social media companies to ensure that such content is taken down without delay.”

What is important to understand is that circulating fake content is not just unethical, he says, it is a punishable offence under Indian law. “We are sending out a strong message through arrests and legal action that misuse of AI to target individuals will invite serious consequences,” concludes Devaraju.