Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Deepfakes Threaten Indian Celebrities and Consumers
Deepfakes, which are fake videos or voices of people, are becoming a big problem in India.
Many people have seen fake ads or videos using famous actors' faces and voices.
These fakes are used to trick people into scams, and many people have lost money.
Actors like Shah Rukh Khan are being used the most in these fake videos.
It's hard to tell what is real online, and some actors are asking the courts for help to stop people from using their images and voices without permission.
It's important for everyone to be careful and know that not everything they see online is real.
90% of Indians encountered fake celebrity endorsements, with average losses of Rs 34,500.
Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt are the most targeted celebrities in India.
AI tools enable easy creation of deepfake videos and voice cloning.
Celebrities are seeking legal protection against misuse of their likeness.
Deepfakes pose a significant threat to consumer trust and highlight the need for awareness.
- Who
- McAfee, Indian celebrities (Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Girija Oak), content creator Raj Shamani, and consumers in India
- What
- A McAfee report highlights the widespread use of deepfakes and AI-generated content, leading to scams and exploitation of celebrity likeness in India.
- When
- The survey was conducted in August 2025, with specific incidents mentioned occurring in January 2024 and September.
- Where
- The survey covered India, with a specific focus on the impact within the country.
- Why
- Sophisticated AI tools make it easy to clone voices and manipulate videos, allowing cybercriminals to impersonate individuals, particularly celebrities, to defraud consumers and spread deceptive content.
Celebrity Rights Advocates
AI Freedom Supporters
Celebrity Likeness Protection
Celebrity Rights Advocates
Celebrities should have the right to control the use of their likeness and voice to prevent fraud and misrepresentation.
AI Freedom Supporters
AI-generated content is a form of expression and should be protected under free speech laws.
- Survey Conducted By
- McAfee
- Survey Focus
- Impact of AI-generated scams and deepfakes on consumers in India
- Top Celebrities Targeted (Deepfakes)
- Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt
- Prevalence of Fake Endorsements
- 90% of Indians encountered fake or AI-generated celebrity endorsements
- Average Victim Loss
- Rs 34,500