Meta to Launch WhatsApp Tipline to Detect Deepfakes in India

Deepfakes, AI-generated videos or audio recordings that manipulate reality, pose a growing threat to online information security. To combat this challenge in India, the Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) and Meta are launching a collaborative initiative – a WhatsApp tipline specifically designed to detect and counter deepfakes.

A New Weapon Against Misinformation: The WhatsApp Tipline

• Launch Date: March 25th, 2024

• Functionality: This innovative platform allows anyone in India to submit suspicious audio notes and videos for assessment via WhatsApp.

• Contact Number: +91 9999025044

• Supported Languages: The tipline offers multilingual support in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, ensuring accessibility across the country.

The tipline serves as a crucial tool for identifying and mitigating the spread of deepfakes, particularly those targeting sensitive topics like public figures, elections, or social issues.

The Mission of the Misinformation Combat Alliance

The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA), comprising 16 members from various industries and sectors, including fact-checking organizations, media outlets, and civic tech organizations, remains steadfast in its mission to collectively combat misinformation. Through collaborative efforts, the alliance aims to safeguard the integrity of information in the digital age, mitigating the adverse impacts of misinformation on society. 

Targeted Approach: Focusing on Impactful Deepfakes

Pamposh Raina, Head of the DAU (Deepfakes Analysis Unit) within the MCA, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing deepfakes with the potential for real-world harm.  "Our primary focus is on addressing audio and video content that could mislead people on critical issues and potentially cause harm in the real world," Raina states.

This targeted approach ensures the tipline tackles deepfakes that pose the most significant threats to public trust and safety.

What is Deepfakes Analysis Unit?

The Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU) is a specialized unit within the Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) in India. It focuses on tackling deepfakes, which are AI-generated videos or audio recordings that manipulate reality to create misleading content.

Here's a breakdown of the DAU's role:

• Function: The DAU specifically addresses audio and video content that could potentially mislead people on important issues and cause harm in the real world. This could include deepfakes targeting public figures, elections, social issues, or anything with the potential to disrupt public trust or safety.

• Activities: The DAU likely employs a team of experts with skills in areas like media analysis, artificial intelligence detection, and fact-checking. They would be responsible for assessing content submitted through the tipline and other sources to determine if it's a deepfake.

• Collaboration: The DAU works collaboratively with other members of the MCA, such as fact-checking organizations and media outlets. This allows them to share information, verify details, and potentially debunk deepfakes before they spread widely.

Overall, the DAU acts as a critical arm of the MCA, focusing on identifying and mitigating the spread of deepfakes in India.

A Collaborative Effort: The Power of the MCA

The MCA is a powerful force in the fight against misinformation. This cross-industry alliance brings together 16 members, including fact-checking organizations, media outlets, and civic tech organizations.  This collaboration fosters a comprehensive approach to tackling misinformation by combining expertise from various sectors.

By leveraging the combined resources of the MCA and Meta's technological capabilities, this new WhatsApp tipline has the potential to significantly reduce the spread of deepfakes in India.