Medanta Hospital lodges complaint regarding fake video showing Dr Naresh Trehan endorsing obesity drug

Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon has lodged a complaint regarding a “deepfake” video featuring its chairperson and managing director, Dr. Naresh Trehan, endorsing a weight loss drug circulating on social media. The complaint led to an FIR being filed against unidentified individuals for impersonation and cheating under the IPC. The video, which was deactivated from Facebook after the complaint, utilized deep learning technology to alter Dr. Trehan’s face and voice.

The complaint, made by Medanta Health Care’s assistant vice-president for marketing, expressed grave concern over the fabricated video containing misleading information about a medical treatment. The video tarnished the reputation of the hospital and Dr. Trehan by promoting false claims about a medical breakthrough for obesity. The complainant urged immediate action to remove the video from social media platforms and bring the perpetrators to justice.

DCP Siddhant Jain mentioned that the video manipulated voice recordings of the doctor and a news anchor and emphasized that the doctor did not prescribe the medication mentioned in the deepfake video. A special team has been formed to investigate and apprehend the accused based on credible leads. In January, Union Minister of State for Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced plans for rules mandating social media platforms to address deepfakes due to concerns over spread of misinformation.

The case sheds light on the growing issue of deepfakes in digital media and the potential harm they can cause to individuals and organizations. Authorities are taking necessary steps to combat the misuse of this technology and protect the credibility and integrity of information shared online.