Bombay HC Allows Minister Gadkari to Sue Meta, Google, X Over Deepfakes

The Bombay High Court has permitted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to initiate a civil legal action against Meta, Google, and X (formerly Twitter) concerning the alleged dissemination of AI-generated deepfakes and defamatory social media content. The suit claims these materials falsely link him to the government’s E20 fuel program.

Gadkari contended that despite the content being available online, its accessibility to users within Mumbai granted the Bombay High Court jurisdiction. The court granted him leave under Clause XII of the Letters Patent, a procedural step allowing the court to hear cases where part of the cause of action arises outside its territorial limits.

The proposed suit alleges that unknown individuals circulated AI-generated videos, posts, and other content falsely portraying Gadkari as personally responsible for the E20 fuel initiative and suggesting personal financial gain for him and his family. Gadkari has denied these claims, stating the program is managed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

This case is among recent legal challenges in India involving AI-generated deepfakes, potentially fueling discussions on social media platforms' accountability in managing manipulated content and disinformation. The Indian government has intensified scrutiny of AI-generated content on social media, issuing advisories to curb unlawful and defamatory material.