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Bombay High Court orders removal of AI videos defaming Gadkari
The Indian government wants petrol to include 20% ethanol, which is a fuel made from sugarcane and food grains.
This special petrol is called E20.
Some car owners say E20 makes their cars lose power and get damaged.
Artificial intelligence was used to create fake videos that looked like they showed a minister named Nitin Gadkari talking about this problem.
The videos used rude and abusive language about him.
Gadkari says the videos are fake and unfair, and that he is not in charge of the E20 policy.
The Bombay High Court, which is a very important court, agreed that the videos were defamatory, meaning they unfairly hurt his reputation.
The court ordered social media companies like Meta, Google, and X to remove these videos.
Gadkari also says reports that E20 damages cars are exaggerated and part of a 'false narrative.'
The Bombay High Court ordered social media platforms to take down AI-generated deepfake videos of Union minister Nitin Gadkari, calling the material 'per se defamatory'.
The order came in a civil suit Gadkari filed against Meta, Google, and X over content linking him to the government's E20 ethanol-blending programme.
Gadkari said the E20 programme is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and that he had no role in it, while critics have blamed him over the policy's rollout.
A LocalCircles poll found 53% of surveyed petrol vehicle owners rated the E20 rollout 'disastrous' or 'ineffective,' with 66% reporting more than a 10% drop in mileage.
Gadkari has defended the policy, saying mileage reductions are marginal and claims about car damage are 'overblown' and part of a 'false narrative.'
- Who
- Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Bombay High Court Justice Arif Doctor, and social media platforms Meta, Google, and X.
- What
- The Bombay High Court ordered social media platforms to remove AI-generated deepfake videos linking Gadkari to the E20 ethanol-blending programme, finding them 'per se defamatory.'
- Where
- Bombay High Court, India.
- When
- The order was issued on Wednesday, after a July 27 ruling that allowed Gadkari to file his civil suit.
- Why
- Gadkari argued the videos contained profane and abusive language, unlawfully used his personality and publicity rights, and linked him to a policy administered by another ministry.
Critics and vehicle owners
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
E20's effect on vehicles
Critics and vehicle owners
Car owners report more than 10% drops in mileage and moderate-to-major increases in wear and tear or need for repairs with E20 petrol.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Mileage reductions are marginal; claims about damage to cars are 'overblown' and part of a 'false narrative.'
Blame for the E20 rollout
Critics and vehicle owners
Social media content and critics have linked Gadkari to the E20 programme and to the handling of its rollout.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
The E20 programme is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and was framed collectively by several government departments, so Gadkari had no role in it.
Free speech vs. defamation
Critics and vehicle owners
The videos could be considered legitimate political criticism or satire of a government policy.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
The content is 'per se defamatory,' uses profane and abusive language, and unlawfully exploits his personality and publicity rights; the court ordered the posts removed.
Key facts
- Court finding
- The AI videos were 'per se defamatory' and must be removed
- Defendant platforms
- Meta, Google, X
- Minister involved
- Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways
- Policy in question
- E20 - mandated 20% ethanol blending in petrol
- Policy rationale
- Reduce fossil fuel dependence, cut greenhouse gas emissions, boost sugarcane farmer income
- LocalCircles poll (published July 5)
- 53% of surveyed petrol vehicle owners rated the E20 rollout 'disastrous' or 'ineffective'
- Reported mileage impact
- 66% of respondents reported more than a 10% drop in mileage; 45% reported increased wear and tear or repairs
- Vehicle compliance
- Only about 20% of new petrol vehicles sold in India in the last 15 years were E20-compliant
Quotes
Justice Arif Doctor
Judge of the Bombay High Court
“"The material Gadkari had cited in his suit was per se defamatory."”
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Sources
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