In a strong stance against online impersonation and misuse of AI-generated deepfake content, the Delhi High Court has directed the takedown of a fake YouTube channel misusing the identity of prominent journalist Anjana Om Kashyap, anchor and Managing Editor (Special Projects) of Aaj Tak.
Justice Prathiba M Singh passed the order on a plea filed by TV Today Network, which owns the Aaj Tak brand. The network sought a permanent injunction against the impersonation of its anchor and the infringement of its intellectual property rights.
The YouTube channel in question was allegedly using deepfake technology to fabricate news videos, falsely presenting Kashyap as reporting news on behalf of the organization. The Court found merit in the claim and granted interim relief.
“Considering the identity of the defendant no 2, the missing P in the word Kashyap, it is clear that the same appears to be a fake page. Such fake YouTube pages and fake profiles being made using her goodwill, reputation and personality is contrary to law,” the Court observed.
In view of this, the Court directed Google to take down the fake channel within 48 hours and ordered the disclosure of Basic Subscriber Information (BSI) of the account holder within two weeks. It further noted that once the identity is known, the concerned individual may be impleaded as a party in the suit.
The Court also ordered Google to submit details of revenue earned from the fake channel, and stated that if any similar impersonating pages emerge, their URLs should be reported for immediate takedown.
Appearing for TV Today, Advocate Hrishikesh Baruah argued that the channel was spreading fake news and profiting from misleading content, including fake videos unrelated to the anchor.
Google’s counsel confirmed readiness to comply with the takedown but pointed out that Kashyap was not directly before the Court. Baruah clarified that the journalist did not wish to be involved in the litigation. Nonetheless, the Court ruled that she must be impleaded in the case before proceeding with the broader aspects of the matter.
The case marks a significant legal intervention in the growing issue of deepfake abuse, especially involving high-profile personalities, and sends a message about the misuse of reputation in the digital space.
