Deepfakes Threaten Public Trust and Social Foundations, Warns Ashwini Vaishnaw

• Feb 26 , 2026

New Delhi | 26 Feb 2026

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw has raised serious concerns over the growing danger of deepfakes and organised disinformation, saying they pose a direct risk to the basic structure of society. Speaking at the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Conclave 2026, the minister said rapid technological advances have made it easier than ever to create and spread manipulated content on a massive scale, putting public trust under pressure worldwide.

Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, Vaishnaw said, “The way the world is emerging today the core tenet of trust is under threat.” He stressed that misinformation is no longer occasional or isolated, but has become systemic in nature. According to him, such content can mislead people into believing events that never happened, adding, “The threat is coming from so many different angles – Deepfakes – which can make you belief things which...