The Maharashtra State Cyber Department has officially confirmed that social media influencer Payal Dhare, widely known as Payal Gaming, is not the person featured in a controversial 19-minute video that went viral across India in recent weeks. In a significant development on Friday, the police declared the video to be a deepfake created using artificial intelligence.
Police Investigation and Official Findings
The clarification came through an official certificate issued by the Office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra State Cyber Department. The statement revealed that the department launched a probe based on a formal complaint filed by Payal Dhare herself.
Forensic analysis using advanced technological tools was conducted on the viral content. The examination conclusively determined that the video had been "tampered with and modified." The police confirmed that the analysis proves the video is an AI-generated deepfake, effectively absolving the popular gamer of any involvement.
Payal Gaming's Response and Legal Action
Following the police clearance, Payal Dhare took to Instagram to express her gratitude. She thanked the authorities for their diligent work in resolving the matter and restoring her reputation.
In her social media post, she stated, "Having witnessed the seriousness, capability and commitment with which this matter is being handled, I have complete faith in the system and in Maharashtra Cyber. Justice will take its rightful course and further details will be addressed through appropriate legal channels."
She also made a public appeal, requesting netizens to stop sharing the fabricated video. Payal confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated against the individuals responsible for creating and circulating the deepfake to malign her image.
Understanding the Viral Video and Police Warnings
The video in question, an intimate clip of two individuals, began circulating online last week. It led to widespread speculation, with several female social media influencers being wrongly linked to it. When Payal Gaming's name emerged, many of her followers immediately questioned the video's authenticity.
Despite police warnings, the video continued to spread on various social media platforms. Highlighting the legal risks, Amit Yadav, a Haryana police official, addressed the issue on social media on 10 December, Wednesday.
Yadav cautioned that sharing obscene content is a punishable offence. He reiterated that the viral video was AI-generated and even suggested using the website 'siteengine.com' to check a video's authenticity.
The officer warned that sharing such content could lead to prosecution under Sections 67, 67A, and 66 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. Conviction under these sections can result in a penalty of ₹2 lakh or imprisonment of up to three years.
The case underscores the growing challenge of AI-generated deepfakes and the importance of official verification before believing or spreading sensational content online.
