Pakistani deepfake campaign shifts focus to PM Modi in bid to stoke student unrest

According to Zee News, Indian officials have identified a coordinated deepfake campaign allegedly originating from Pakistan, aimed at inciting student unrest within India. The reports suggest that altered videos are being circulated online, falsely depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing punitive measures against students who participated in recent protests regarding the NEET examination. These fabricated clips are reportedly designed to provoke students and encourage further demonstrations across the country.

The NEET examination, a critical gateway for medical education in India, has been a focal point of recent student activism and public debate. Authorities are now investigating the source of these digital assets, which they characterize as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the academic environment and stoke communal or political tensions. The use of generative AI to create realistic but false portrayals of high-ranking officials has become an increasing concern for cybersecurity agencies monitoring regional influence operations.

As of now, the government has not issued a formal statement confirming the specific origin of the campaign, though the report highlights the growing challenge of managing misinformation during periods of civil unrest. Officials are urging the public and student organizations to verify the authenticity of viral content before sharing it on social media platforms. The incident underscores the broader risks associated with the proliferation of deepfake technology in sensitive political contexts.