In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, politics has never been limited to rallies, TV debates, or street campaigns. In recent years, another battlefield has quietly opened up the internet. And inside it, one of the most worrying weapons is already here: AI-powered deepfakes.
These aren’t harmless filters or funny celebrity mashups. They’re manipulated videos and audio clips that look and sound so real, the average person struggles to tell the difference. And in regional politics, they’re being used to confuse voters, attack leaders, and spread stories that were never true in the first place.
When Fake Looks Too Real
The scary thing about deepfakes is how neatly they mix truth and lies. A leader’s voice can be cloned. Their face can be swapped. A speech can be stitched together out of nothing and it will still look convincing.
During recent campaigns across Andhra and Telangana, videos started popping up online of leaders making shocking remarks. Some seemed to insult rival communities. Others promised things they had never spoken about. A few even looked designed to stir up anger. Within hours, those clips spread through WhatsApp groups and Facebook feeds like wildfire. By the time someone checked the facts, the rumor had already done its damage.
Case Studies: How It Played Out on the Ground
- Andhra Pradesh Elections: In the heated run-up to the 2024 polls, videos began circulating of leaders apparently switching sides or using offensive language. Many of these were later debunked, but not before they reached thousands of rural voters who rely more on forwards than on verified news.
- Telangana Politics: The problem wasn’t limited to Andhra. In Telangana, deepfake audio clips copying popular leaders’ voices made the rounds during local protests and by-polls. These weren’t long speeches just short, emotional soundbites. The kind of clips designed to spread quickly and stick in people’s minds.
Both states saw how fast misinformation can move, and how hard it is to undo once the seed of doubt is planted.
Why Regional Politics Is So Exposed
Regional politics is uniquely vulnerable because the channels of communication are more personal. WhatsApp groups, local cable chatter, and regional YouTube channels spread news faster than national media ever could. Verification takes a back seat.
Deepfakes slot perfectly into this environment. They’re cheap to make, easy to share, and almost impossible for the average person to question. And in semi-urban or rural areas, where digital literacy isn’t as high, that problem only gets worse.
The Legal Loophole
Here’s the real problem: India has no clear, specific law against deepfakes. Sure, some parts of the IT Act and IPC can be applied if the content is defamatory or harmful. But there is no dedicated framework to deal with AI-generated manipulation.
This legal gap gives bad actors plenty of room to experiment. Even if a complaint is filed, the process drags on. By the time action is taken, the election narrative has already shifted.
Legal experts have been calling for urgent steps, including:
- A clear legal definition of deepfakes.
- A quick-response system to remove misleading content during elections.
- Greater responsibility for platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube.
What Needs to Happen Next
Laws take time, but awareness can move faster. Voters need to pause before hitting “share.” If a video feels too shocking to be true, it probably is. Fact-checkers, news outlets, and even local influencers can play a key role in busting fakes before they spread too far.
At the same time, governments must act quickly. If regulations don’t keep pace with technology, deepfakes could slowly chip away at the very foundation of democracy.
Conclusion
Deepfakes are no longer a distant fear. They’re already shaping narratives in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Left unchecked, they could become one of the most powerful political weapons of the next decade.
And this isn’t just about protecting leaders from false attacks. It’s about protecting voters’ right to the truth the basic ingredient democracy can’t survive without.
