South Korea and India Confront Surge in AI-Generated Disinformation
Authorities in South Korea and India are intensifying crackdowns on the malicious use of generative artificial intelligence to produce and disseminate disinformation. Recent investigations in both nations have highlighted the growing threat posed by AI-generated content, which is being used to manipulate social discourse, incite public panic, and damage the reputations of political figures and public institutions.
In South Korea, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency recently referred a man in his 40s to prosecutors without detention for his role in a systematic disinformation campaign. According to en.sedaily.com, the suspect, who operates a YouTube channel with approximately 87,700 subscribers, allegedly manipulated generative AI to create false narratives. By repeatedly querying AI models until they produced specific, incorrect conclusions, he used the resulting output to script videos presented as factual news.
The suspect’s content included false claims regarding the delivery of stockpiled oil to North Korea, the deployment of a private military company in Yeouido, and an alleged arson attack at the Jamsil Handball Stadium. Police noted that the individual generated roughly 10 million won in revenue through these videos and intentionally continued to post false information while under investigation. A request for the pre-indictment preservation of his assets has been filed.
Governmental Response and Legislative Gaps
On July 16, 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung addressed the urgent need for stricter regulations during a policy briefing. He emphasized that AI-generated content, particularly deepfakes, is becoming so realistic that it is frequently mistaken for genuine evidence by the public. President Lee argued that current regulations, which focus on production, are insufficient because they fail to account for the distribution stage, where labels can be easily removed or cropped.
Under South Korea’s current Artificial Intelligence Basic Act, AI-generated content must be clearly labeled, with violations subject to fines of up to 30 million won. However, these enforcement provisions are currently under a one-year grace period. Furthermore, government officials confirmed that the law does not currently regulate individuals who redistribute content after stripping away the required AI disclosures. President Lee has tasked agencies with developing comprehensive measures to address these loopholes and the challenges posed by foreign platforms that often fail to remove harmful content even after reports are filed.
Digital Fraud and Legal Action in India
In India, cyber authorities are also mobilizing against AI-driven propaganda. In Maharashtra, the Cyber Cell registered an FIR following the spread of AI-generated images depicting deep sinkholes on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway during heavy rainfall, according to newsspace.in. The FIR alleges a conspiracy to damage the reputations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The investigation was initiated following a complaint by Deepak Mhapadi of the BJP’s social media wing, citing the use of AI to create inflammatory graphics and false reports intended to incite public panic.
Simultaneously, prominent digital creators, including Pushkar Raj Thakur and Neeraj Joshi, have petitioned the Delhi High Court regarding the abuse of Meta’s copyright reporting systems. As reported by dainikjagranmpcg.com, creators allege that bad actors are backdating posts to falsely claim ownership of original content, triggering automated copyright strikes that lead to the removal of legitimate videos and the suspension of accounts.
Additionally, religious tensions have flared in Bihar due to AI-generated content. According to urdu.munsifdaily.com, a resident of Patna was identified for posting AI-generated videos on Instagram that depicted offensive scenes at the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. While the videos have since been deleted, the incident has drawn calls for prosecution under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically for acts intended to outrage religious feelings or desecrate places of worship.
Summary of Reported Incidents
| Location | Issue | Primary Action |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | AI-generated fake news for profit | Police referral to prosecutors |
| Maharashtra, India | AI-generated propaganda/defamation | FIR registered under BNS and IT Act |
| Delhi, India | Misuse of copyright systems against creators | Petition filed in Delhi High Court |
| Bihar, India | AI-generated religious offense | Public reporting and police review |
These developments underscore a global trend where law enforcement is increasingly forced to adapt to the speed and sophistication of AI-assisted digital manipulation. In both jurisdictions, officials maintain that the primary challenge lies in the rapid spread of misinformation and the difficulty of enforcing accountability across global digital platforms.
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