The pros and cons of digital impact

• India is one of the most vulnerable nations to misinformation and disinformation due to the rise of AI-generated content and social media influence.

• Misleading health advice and weight loss reels blur the line between organic and paid content, fueling misinformation.

• The Supreme Court upheld that free speech does not protect spreading misinformation or harmful content.

• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, bans misleading advertisements and holds influencers accountable for deceptive promotions.

• Digital regulations under the IT Act, the Intermediary Guidelines, 2021, and defamation and ecommerce laws penalize harmful content and ensure accurate endorsements.

• ASCI guidelines set ethical standards, with non-compliance leading to blacklisting and public reprimands.

• Influencer content blurs the line between fact and manipulation with selective data, ambiguous language, and cherry-picked events.

• Influencers’ role in shaping narratives and public discourse is highlighted, with viral content often outpacing fact-checked information.

• Regulations for social media influencers are tightening, focusing on accountability and responsible content.

• The Delhi High Court restrained an influencer from disparaging a brand, emphasizing that freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) is not absolute.

• Establishing a registration system or database for influencers disseminating public health information is essential to curb the unchecked spread of misinformation and empower consumers to make well-informed, objective assessments.