Can makeup beat facial recognition tech? What Richa Chadha’s ‘tutorial’ gets right, and wrong

On October 11, Bollywood actress Richa Chadha posted a makeup tutorial on social media platform X, aimed at protesters seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The video instructed individuals to draw additional eyes, lips, and use colors to camouflage their skin during protests, as they were being filmed without consent by government officials.

Chadha's caption urged protesters to stay safe, hydrated, and peaceful, while also recommending carrying pepper spray and staying strong. The protests were primarily over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. On October 10 and 11, Delhi Police were seen dragging and assaulting protesters, including journalists and lawyers.

Later, the Delhi Police designated Jantar Mantar as a protest site, prompting the Opposition to march to the Supreme Court demanding an investigation into the election process and the SIR exercise.