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New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered Google to use its technological tools to identify and remove fake and artificial intelligence-oriented content on YouTube that misuses the image, video and personality of spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jagadish Vasudev.
A single-judge bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed the interim order in the ongoing suit filed by Sadhguru and Isha Foundation against the rampant misuse of the fakir’s identity on online platforms.
Pursuant to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, Justice Arora directed Google to take action against fraudulent advertisements being circulated on YouTube, which also included the fabricated video of Sadhguru’s arrest.
The Delhi High Court asked Google to engage in a collaborative dialogue with Isha Foundation to work out a mechanism to prevent repetition of such content, so that Isha Foundation does not have to repeatedly flag each instance of infringement.
Referring to Rule 4(4) of the 2021 IT Rules, Justice Arora said, “If respondent No. 45 (Google) has any technical limitations or objections in this direction, he may seek instructions and file an affidavit to that effect.”
The development came after Sadhguru’s legal team presented fresh examples of misleading YouTube links, including stories of fake arrests.
During the court hearing, Google’s lawyer said that infringing URLs reported to the company are being removed, and that it is willing to work closely with Isha Foundation to resolve the issue.
Earlier on May 30, the Delhi High Court had recognized Sadhguru’s personality rights and directed online platforms to remove fake and AI-generated content being circulated to promote financial scams and gain customers.
At the time, Sadhguru’s legal team had said that rogue websites and channels were using his AI-morphed videos and doctored images to mislead users.
A single-judge bench of Justice Saurabh Banerjee had then directed several intermediaries, including Google, to suspend or disable such content.
However, according to Isha Foundation, despite previous interim orders from the Delhi High Court, such misleading advertisements had resurfaced with increased frequency.
It argued that Google’s own advertising policies prohibit “clickbait ads based on negative life events” – such as false claims of arrest or death – yet such content was being published.
“The continued spread of deepfakes and misleading advertisements has created widespread confusion and concern,” Isha Foundation said. He said that thousands of people had come to verify the false claims of Sadhguru’s arrest.
It urged people to remain alert and report any fake advertisements or videos on YouTube falsely claiming that Sadhguru has been arrested by marking them as “scam” or “misleading”.
–IANS
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