Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai has raised concerns over the misuse of court hearing videos, warning that clipped and re-uploaded snippets are distorting judicial discussions and raising intellectual property concerns.
Speaking in Nairobi on the intersection of technology and the judiciary, Justice Gavai emphasized how short, out-of-context clips from court proceedings are being sensationalized on social media, creating misinformation and misleading narratives. He pointed out that YouTubers and content creators frequently repurpose such content for revenue, blurring ethical boundaries.
Beyond media manipulation, he also cautioned against the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal spaces, highlighting instances where AI-generated legal citations have been fabricated. The increasing reliance on AI to predict court rulings, he argued, poses deep ethical questions about whether machines—lacking human morality and nuance—should have a role in shaping justice.
Despite these warnings, he acknowledged the positive impact of technology in the legal system, particularly through live-streamed hearings and virtual courts. These advancements, he noted, have made the judiciary more accessible, especially for junior lawyers and litigants who previously struggled to navigate higher courts.
Justice Gavai’s remarks reflect the judiciary’s ongoing challenge of balancing technological progress with judicial integrity, ensuring that innovation enhances rather than undermines the legal process.
