Loan apps harassing women by morphing their images to extort money, alleges singer Chinmayi Sripada 

A deepfake video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna sent shockwaves through the internet, raising concerns about the dangers of artificial intelligence. In the wake of this unsettling incident, singer Chinmayi Sripaada spoke out against the misuse of AI technology. She pointed out that these manipulated videos aren't just targeting celebrities but common people as well.

Chinmayi, in a post supporting the actor, called for legal action against those who misuse deepfake technology and sounded the alarm about how it could become the "next weapon to extort, blackmail, and even harm women."
"Deepfakes could be used as a means to target and harass girls, extort money from them, or even commit sexual assault. Their families in small villages or towns might not understand the gravity of the situation when their honor is at stake," the singer emphasized on a social media platform.

Furthermore, Sripaada revealed that women who have borrowed money from loan apps are being harassed by collectors who manipulate their images into explicit content, intending to extort money from them. She explained that deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder for the average person to detect them. She urged for a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of deepfakes and encouraged people to report such incidents instead of taking matters into their own hands.

The shocking video that went viral featured what seemed to be Rashmika Mandanna entering an elevator. In reality, the video was manipulated using deepfake technology, with British-Indian influencer Zara Patel's face replaced by Rashmika Mandanna's.

Responding to the trending video, the actor expressed her fear and distress, stating, "I feel really hurt to share this and have to talk about the deepfake video of me being spread online."

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the central government has taken action by sending an advisory to social media platforms to address the issue of deepfake videos. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting individuals from the potential harm caused by the misuse of AI technology.