Indian IT Minister Says Google Gemini Violates Indian IT Laws

Union Minister of State for Electronics and Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, issued a stern warning to Google India regarding its response to a query about PM Modi. 

The minister referenced a tweet that showcased Gemini AI's replies to questions about various global leaders. While certain responses were labelled as 'complex,' others expressed opinions, prompting the minister to caution Google India.

“These are direct violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of the Intermediary Rules (IT Rules) of the IT Act and violations of several provisions of the Criminal Code,” wrote Chandrashekhar in his response on X.

These are direct violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of Intermediary Rules (IT rules) of the IT act and violations of several provisions of the Criminal code. @GoogleAI @GoogleIndia @GoI_MeitY https://t.co/9Jk0flkamN

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) February 23, 2024

This is not the first time Google Gemini has come under fire. Most recently, Google announced it is pausing its Gemini artificial intelligence image generation feature after acknowledging 'inaccuracies' in historical pictures.

Gemini-generated pictures went viral on social media recently, leading to widespread ridicule and anger. Some users criticised Google, claiming that the company is overly concerned with being socially aware, even if it means sacrificing truth and accuracy.

Users on social media had been complaining that the AI tool generates images of historical figures — like the U.S. Founding Fathers — as people of colour, calling this inaccurate.

Google, in a post on platform X, stated that its AI feature has the capability to “generate a wide range of people,” which is generally beneficial for users worldwide. However, the company acknowledged a current deficiency in the software feature, noting that it is “missing the mark here.” 

Google affirmed its commitment to prompt improvement, stating that the tech giant is “working to enhance these kinds of depictions immediately.”