Key Highlights

• Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered an FIR against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and several social media users.
• The case relates to the alleged circulation of AI-generated and manipulated videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Facebook and Instagram.
• Police are investigating the origin of the videos, their dissemination and whether adequate safeguards were in place to limit their spread.
• Meta representatives had recently appeared before investigators to explain the company's AI content moderation mechanisms.
• The investigation remains at a preliminary stage, and no conclusions have been reached.

Hyderabad Police Register FIR

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Arun Srinivas and several social media users over the alleged circulation of AI-generated and morphed videos of Narendra Modi on Facebook and Instagram, both owned by **Meta Platforms>.

According to police sources, investigators are examining whether the manipulated videos misled the public and whether offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, 2000 may have been committed.

The registration of an FIR marks the beginning of a criminal investigation and does not by itself establish wrongdoing by any individual or organisation.

What the Investigation Is Examining

Police said investigators are focusing on several aspects of the alleged incident, including:

• The origin of the AI-generated videos.
• How the content spread across social media platforms.
• The role of individuals alleged to have created, uploaded or shared the videos.
• Whether Meta's existing moderation systems were sufficient to detect and limit the circulation of manipulated content.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and that findings will depend on the digital evidence collected during the probe.

Meta Representatives Questioned Earlier

The FIR comes days after the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police summoned representatives of Meta to explain the company's systems for identifying and removing:

• AI-generated scams.
• Fake advertisements.
• Manipulated media.
• Other forms of misleading content.

According to police, a Meta representative appeared before investigators and explained the company's content moderation and compliance processes.

As of the latest developments, Meta has not publicly responded to the FIR.

Separate Case Linked to Jantar Mantar Protest

In a separate development, police have registered a Zero FIR against Ruchika Singh over alleged remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

The complaint was filed by Smriti Singh, a resident of Ghaziabad.

According to police, the case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to:

• Intentional insult likely to provoke a breach of peace.
• Statements allegedly conducing to public mischief.
• Defamation.

The allegations are under investigation, and no findings have been reached.

Growing Focus on AI-Generated Misinformation

The latest case reflects increasing scrutiny of online platforms over AI-generated content.

Law enforcement agencies have been examining:

• Deepfakes.
• AI-generated scams.
• Manipulated political content.
• Synthetic media used to mislead the public.

Technology companies have also been under growing pressure to strengthen systems that identify and remove such content while complying with legal obligations.

Why This Matters

The case highlights the growing legal and regulatory challenges posed by AI-generated content on social media platforms. As generative AI tools become more accessible, authorities worldwide are increasing oversight of digital intermediaries and examining whether existing safeguards are sufficient to detect manipulated media. The outcome of the investigation could influence future discussions on platform accountability, AI governance and content moderation in India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was an FIR registered against the Meta India head?

Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered the FIR over the alleged circulation of AI-generated videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Meta-owned platforms. The investigation is ongoing.

Has Meta been found guilty?

No. The FIR initiates an investigation and does not establish criminal liability or wrongdoing.

Which platforms are involved?

According to police, the alleged videos were circulated on Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta.

What laws are being examined?

Investigators are examining possible violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, 2000, depending on the evidence collected.

What is the status of the investigation?

Police have stated that the investigation is at a preliminary stage, and no conclusions have yet been reached.