Gadkari Sues Tech Giants Over AI Deepfakes Linking Family to E20 Fuel Profits

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has taken a firm stand against misinformation, moving the Bombay High Court to address a surge of social media posts and AI-generated deepfake content that falsely link him and his family to business gains from the government's E20 ethanol-blended fuel program. On Monday, the court granted him permission to initiate a civil suit against major tech companies like Meta Platforms, X Corp, and Google LLC, alongside unidentified creators of the alleged defamatory content. Gadkari vehemently denies any personal or family financial involvement, asserting that the E20 initiative is managed by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not his own department. This legal challenge unfolds amid an intensified public debate surrounding E20 fuel, which now constitutes 20% ethanol blended with petrol, a target India achieved ahead of schedule to curb oil imports and reduce emissions. While Gadkari has consistently championed the program, critics, including some politicians and social media users, allege issues like reduced mileage and vehicle damage, claims the government and industry bodies like SIAM and ARAI have refuted after extensive testing. The minister has called the online campaign 'paid' and politically motivated, designed to spread false narratives. The civil suit seeks permanent injunctions and interim relief, including a temporary injunction, to remove the fabricated content from online platforms. With the matter expected to proceed swiftly, this case sets a crucial precedent for how Indian courts and tech giants will tackle the burgeoning threat of AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes targeting public figures, potentially shaping the future of digital accountability and political discourse in the country.