The internet can be a wild place, and when online content crosses legal lines, authorities are stepping in. Maharashtra Cyber on Sunday announced that several individuals have been detained and issued
notices in connection with a controversial deepfake video that falsely implicated popular YouTuber Payal Gaming.
The cybercrime unit confirmed that those involved were made to issue public apologies as part of the enforcement action. In an Instagram post, Maharashtra Cyber stated, “Several uploaders have been apprehended, served notices, and have issued public apologies. We have also identified one of the first uploaders of the content, who will be apprehended soon.”
The post emphasized the agency’s focus on curbing misuse of technology and enforcing the law. Visuals accompanying the post included images of the accused and videos of their apologies.
In one video, an individual named Abhishek Jadaun admitted to sharing the link to the deepfake video on his Instagram story without verifying its authenticity. “I had been counselled by Maharashtra Cyber and acknowledged that my actions harmed the reputation of the YouTuber. I regret it and assure that I will not repeat such behaviour in the future,” he said.
Maharashtra Cyber said investigations and actions against others involved in the case are ongoing.
The controversy stems from a video that went viral last month, depicting an intimate scene of a couple, with some social media users claiming that the woman was Payal Gaming. Many fans quickly defended the YouTuber, questioning the video’s authenticity and suggesting it was AI-generated.
Payal Gaming later released a statement clarifying that she was not in the clip and confirmed that legal action would be taken against those misusing her identity.
