The fraudulent Instagram account Babydoll Archi, created using the likeness of a Dibrugarh homemaker, exposes the dark side of AI misuse and the urgent need for legal reform.
Deepfake Distress: The Rise of Babydoll Archi and the Fall of Sanchi
Deepfake Distress: The Rise of Babydoll Archi and the Fall of Sanchi
An Indian woman becomes an unintended victim of deepfake technology in a disturbing case of identity theft.
In a disconcerting twist of events that recently caught global attention, a homemaker from Dibrugarh, Assam, finds herself at the center of a deepfake controversy involving a virally popular Instagram account named Babydoll Archi. The account, which amassed 1.4 million followers in a short period, featured content that falsely depicted the woman’s identity in an erotic context without her consent.
The individual behind this online deception is Pratim Bora, a mechanical engineer and self-taught enthusiast of artificial intelligence, who allegedly utilized private photos of the local woman, referred to as Sanchi, to create the fake persona as a form of revenge after their relationship soured. Upon her brother's filing of a police complaint, authorities arrested Bora and initiated a formal investigation led by police officer Sizal Agarwal.
According to Agarwal, Babydoll Archi emerged in 2020, with its content evolving from initially altered images of Sanchi to increasingly sophisticated deepfake visuals generated with AI tools, such as ChatGPT. The account began gaining momentum in April 2023, although Sanchi's family remained unaware of the scandal until the situation escalated.
The police moved quickly, contacting Instagram to obtain the account's creator's information. Following Sanchi's identification of Bora, investigators arrested him the following day, seizing his electronic devices to examine the evidence. Police suspect Bora commercially exploited the account, generating approximately 1 million rupees in revenue from over 3,000 subscriptions.
Though the fraudulent account has since been taken down, the internet remains flooded with remnants of the unauthorized content, prompting a broader discussion about the implications of AI when intertwined with personal identity. Agarwal expressed regret over the slow initial response that allowed the account to gain traction before intervention.
Sanchi, who lacks a personal social media presence, is reportedly traumatized, although she and her family have begun to receive counseling services to help cope with the aftermath. Despite the prevalence of such identity theft cases, experts like Meghna Bal assert that completely preventing such incidents is remarkably challenging. The recent outcry over this case has elevated calls for more stringent laws to address the misuse of deepfake technology, although legal experts caution against overly broad regulations that might impede free speech.
As discussions continue regarding regulation in the evolving field of AI, the incident underscores a critical need for legal frameworks to protect individuals from the misuse of technology particularly targeting women.
Authorities have charged Bora under multiple statutes related to sexual harassment and cybercrime, carrying potential sentences of up to ten years if found guilty. The implications of this case serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against technological exploitation and the vital importance of awareness in preserving personal dignity.
The individual behind this online deception is Pratim Bora, a mechanical engineer and self-taught enthusiast of artificial intelligence, who allegedly utilized private photos of the local woman, referred to as Sanchi, to create the fake persona as a form of revenge after their relationship soured. Upon her brother's filing of a police complaint, authorities arrested Bora and initiated a formal investigation led by police officer Sizal Agarwal.
According to Agarwal, Babydoll Archi emerged in 2020, with its content evolving from initially altered images of Sanchi to increasingly sophisticated deepfake visuals generated with AI tools, such as ChatGPT. The account began gaining momentum in April 2023, although Sanchi's family remained unaware of the scandal until the situation escalated.
The police moved quickly, contacting Instagram to obtain the account's creator's information. Following Sanchi's identification of Bora, investigators arrested him the following day, seizing his electronic devices to examine the evidence. Police suspect Bora commercially exploited the account, generating approximately 1 million rupees in revenue from over 3,000 subscriptions.
Though the fraudulent account has since been taken down, the internet remains flooded with remnants of the unauthorized content, prompting a broader discussion about the implications of AI when intertwined with personal identity. Agarwal expressed regret over the slow initial response that allowed the account to gain traction before intervention.
Sanchi, who lacks a personal social media presence, is reportedly traumatized, although she and her family have begun to receive counseling services to help cope with the aftermath. Despite the prevalence of such identity theft cases, experts like Meghna Bal assert that completely preventing such incidents is remarkably challenging. The recent outcry over this case has elevated calls for more stringent laws to address the misuse of deepfake technology, although legal experts caution against overly broad regulations that might impede free speech.
As discussions continue regarding regulation in the evolving field of AI, the incident underscores a critical need for legal frameworks to protect individuals from the misuse of technology particularly targeting women.
Authorities have charged Bora under multiple statutes related to sexual harassment and cybercrime, carrying potential sentences of up to ten years if found guilty. The implications of this case serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against technological exploitation and the vital importance of awareness in preserving personal dignity.
