Karnataka police tackle fake news and deepfakes

In the past three years, Karnataka police have registered 259 cases against individuals and publishers for spreading fake news across the state, according to the Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara. Bengaluru tops the list with 48 cases in 2023, 45 in 2024, and two in 2025 while Uttara Kannada follows with 19 in 2023, 27 in 2024 and three in 2025. 

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The state filed a total of 107 cases in 2023, 139 in 2024, and 13 in 2025. However, only 75 of the cases remain under investigation and the conviction rate remains low, with only six convictions overall. In 2023 and 2024 there were three convictions each and 2025 is yet to see any. Additionally, 12 cases related to the growing deepfake threat have been filed, with seven in 2024 and five in 2025. 

Deepfakes which are AI generated synthetic media, have posed serious challenges in Karnataka. Cybercriminals used deepfake videos of high-profile figures like Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy and Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani to promote fraudulent investment schemes, leading to losses of Rs 26 lakh and Rs 57.2 lakh in two separate incidents. In Belagavi, a 22-year-old man was arrested for creating deepfake images of a woman after she rejected his advances. 

To counter this, authorities are monitoring individuals spreading fake news, especially those inciting hatred or division. Police stations have designated teams trained to tackle fake accounts and KSP factcheck platform ensures accurate information is shared with the public.