Don't put out AI content without consent: EC to parties

Key Highlights:

• The Election Commission (EC) directed political parties to refrain from publishing AI-generated content depicting individuals without their consent [2025-10-24].
• The EC emphasized that misuse of AI poses a significant threat to fair elections, potentially misleading political stakeholders [2025-10-24].
• All AI-generated content must be labeled as such, with a visible disclaimer covering 10% of the display area for videos/images and the initial 10% of audio recordings [2025-10-24].
• Political parties are required to disclose the entity responsible for generating AI content and maintain records for EC verification [2025-10-24].

Detailed Insights:

• The EC's advisory was prompted by instances of political parties using AI to target opponents, particularly during the Bihar campaign [2025-10-24].
• The advisory reinforces earlier directives from May 2024 and January 2025, mandating the labeling of AI-generated content and its removal within three hours upon notification [2025-10-24].
• The new advisory explicitly prohibits content that unlawfully misrepresents a person's identity, appearance, or voice without consent, if it is likely to mislead voters [2025-10-24].
• The EC reminded parties to adhere to the Information Technology Rules, 2021, to ensure a transparent electoral process [2025-10-24].
• This directive will be enforced during the Bihar Assembly elections and subsequent by-polls, and will remain applicable for all future elections [2025-10-24].

Key Concepts Involved:

• AI-generated content: Media synthesized or altered using artificial intelligence techniques.
• Election Commission of India (ECI): Constitutional body responsible for administering elections in India.
• Information Technology Rules, 2021: Indian legislation governing digital content and intermediaries.