The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has fact-checked the authenticity of AI-generated videos of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan that are being circulated to spread misinformation.
This clarification comes after artificial intelligence-generated videos of both ministers went viral on social media. PIB’s fact-checking unit said both videos were fake and digitally altered, noting that neither Goyal nor Pradhan made the statements attributed to them in the clips.
It further alleged that the videos are being circulated through Pakistani propaganda accounts as part of a disinformation campaign.
Read also | Government verifies authenticity of edited Pradhan clip: ‘It was circulated through Pakistani propaganda accounts’
Goyal claims the video is an AI fake, registered in an FIR.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday claimed that a fake video created using artificial intelligence (AI) was circulated to attribute false statements to him about the ongoing student protests.
In a post on X, Goyal said his statements to media outside Parliament had been “maliciously manipulated using artificial intelligence” to create and circulate a fake video.
“My statements to media outside Parliament were maliciously manipulated using artificial intelligence to create and circulate a fake video in an attempt to spread misinformation,” he said.
Goyal said he filed a complaint with the police, following which an FIR was registered at Chanakyapuri police station at 4:35 am on July 25.
He warned that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for creating, circulating or amplifying the alleged deepfake.
“Irresponsible misuse of artificial intelligence to mislead the public cannot and will not be tolerated,” Goyal said.
He also urged people to rely only on trustworthy and reliable sources for information.
“I have full faith that the aware and tech-savvy citizens of India, especially our youth, will not fall prey to such misinformation,” he added.
Follow here for live updates on CJP protests
PIB flags fake videos
Separately, PIB’s fact-checking unit issued a warning claiming that Pakistani propaganda accounts were circulating an AI-generated video falsely claiming that Goyal made threatening statements about protesting students.
“Fake video alert!” The PIB Fact Check post said.
She added, “Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a video clip of Union Minister Piyush Goyal allegedly making threatening statements to the protesting students.”
PIB dismissed the clip as fabricated, saying: “This video is #Fake and was created by artificial intelligence.”
He further clarified that “Union Minister @piyushgoyal did not make any such statement regarding the Delhi protest.”
The fact-checking unit also shared a link to what it described as the original, unedited video, and urged people to report suspicious content related to the Government of India to its official fact-checking section.
Read also | ‘Yes or no’: CJP seeks clarification on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from the government
PIB video to check facts on Dharmendra Pradhan
In a separate fact-check, PIB also flagged an alleged doctored video related to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to PIB’s fact-checking unit, “Pakistani propaganda accounts are distributing a digitally edited video of Union Minister @dpradhanbjp, which includes fabricated and baseless claims.”
“Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan did not make any such statement,” she clarified.
The fact-checking unit also shared a link to Pradhan’s original, unedited video, urging the public to “beware of fake news and check through official government sources.”
