In a disturbing narrative from Dibrugarh, Assam, Babydoll Archi, an unscrupulous AI-generated social media persona, had skyrocketed to fame by amassing 1.4 million followers on Instagram within days. But behind this viral sensation lies a deeply distressing truth: the individual behind the Babydoll Archi account is entirely fictitious, resulting from a heinous act of identity theft aimed at revenge. The true identity of the woman, referred to here as Sanchi, was maliciously manipulated by her ex-boyfriend, Pratim Bora, who crafted a deepfake profile utilizing her private images.
The saga began to unravel when Sanchi's brother filed a police report after learning about the scandalous account. With the authority's investigation led by officer Sizal Agarwal, Bora, a self-taught AI enthusiast, was taken into custody. It was disclosed that Bora had used a mix of her images and generative software to produce explicit content without her consent, monetizing the account and generating significant income from subscriptions.
Originally created in 2020, the Babydoll Archi account was expanded over time using AI tools like ChatGPT and Dzine to improve its believability, gaining traction particularly since April this year. Despite earlier hints about the account's nature, adequate investigation only began after the police complaint. The authorities successfully traced Bora's identity back through Instagram, leading to his arrest shortly thereafter.
In light of the overwhelming number of followers and the rapidly growing concern, Sanchi's situation raised alarms about the vulnerability of individuals to such digital fraud, especially those with no active social media presence. While the Instagram account of Babydoll Archi has been removed, a plethora of images and videos still circulate online, highlighting the challenges of fully erasing digital content once it proliferates.
Experts on AI ethics, including Meghna Bal, emphasize the lasting implications of such scenarios, where women's identities and images can be weaponized for vengeful purposes. Though existing laws cover aspects of sexual harassment and cybercrimes, the rapid evolution of AI technology suggests significant gaps in legislation that need addressing. Following this case, calls for stronger regulations in handling generative AI and its ethical applications are rising in the public discourse, underlining the importance of protecting individuals from digital exploitation.
Pratim Bora now faces serious legal implications, with charges ranging from sexual harassment to forgery and cybercrime, carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. As the conversations surrounding this incident grow, society is left grappling with the responsibility of new technologies and the ongoing fight for individual privacy and rights in the digital age.
The saga began to unravel when Sanchi's brother filed a police report after learning about the scandalous account. With the authority's investigation led by officer Sizal Agarwal, Bora, a self-taught AI enthusiast, was taken into custody. It was disclosed that Bora had used a mix of her images and generative software to produce explicit content without her consent, monetizing the account and generating significant income from subscriptions.
Originally created in 2020, the Babydoll Archi account was expanded over time using AI tools like ChatGPT and Dzine to improve its believability, gaining traction particularly since April this year. Despite earlier hints about the account's nature, adequate investigation only began after the police complaint. The authorities successfully traced Bora's identity back through Instagram, leading to his arrest shortly thereafter.
In light of the overwhelming number of followers and the rapidly growing concern, Sanchi's situation raised alarms about the vulnerability of individuals to such digital fraud, especially those with no active social media presence. While the Instagram account of Babydoll Archi has been removed, a plethora of images and videos still circulate online, highlighting the challenges of fully erasing digital content once it proliferates.
Experts on AI ethics, including Meghna Bal, emphasize the lasting implications of such scenarios, where women's identities and images can be weaponized for vengeful purposes. Though existing laws cover aspects of sexual harassment and cybercrimes, the rapid evolution of AI technology suggests significant gaps in legislation that need addressing. Following this case, calls for stronger regulations in handling generative AI and its ethical applications are rising in the public discourse, underlining the importance of protecting individuals from digital exploitation.
Pratim Bora now faces serious legal implications, with charges ranging from sexual harassment to forgery and cybercrime, carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. As the conversations surrounding this incident grow, society is left grappling with the responsibility of new technologies and the ongoing fight for individual privacy and rights in the digital age.
