#Fact Check: Pakistan’s Airstrike Claim Uses Video Game Footage
Executive Summary:
A widely circulated claim on social media, including a post from the official X account of Pakistan, alleges that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out an airstrike on India, supported by a viral video. However, according to our research, the video used in these posts is actually footage from the video game Arma-3 and has no connection to any real-world military operation. The use of such misleading content contributes to the spread of false narratives about a conflict between India and Pakistan and has the potential to create unnecessary fear and confusion among the public.
Claim:
Viral social media posts, including the official Government of Pakistan X handle, claims that the PAF launched a successful airstrike against Indian military targets. The footage accompanying the claim shows jets firing missiles and explosions on the ground. The video is presented as recent and factual evidence of heightened military tensions.
Fact Check:
As per our research using reverse image search, the videos circulating online that claim to show Pakistan launching an attack on India under the name 'Operation Sindoor' are misleading. There is no credible evidence or reliable reporting to support the existence of any such operation. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has also verified that the video being shared is false and misleading. During our research, we also came across footage from the video game Arma-3 on YouTube, which appears to have been repurposed to create the illusion of a real military conflict. This strongly indicates that fictional content is being used to propagate a false narrative. The likely intention behind this misinformation is to spread fear and confusion by portraying a conflict that never actually took place.
Conclusion:
It is true to say that Pakistan is using the widely shared misinformation videos to attack India with false information. There is no reliable evidence to support the claim, and the videos are misleading and irrelevant. Such false information must be stopped right away because it has the potential to cause needless panic. No such operation is occurring, according to authorities and fact-checking groups.
- Claim: Viral social media posts claim PAF attack on India
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
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Introduction
India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has unfurled its banner of digital hygiene, heralding the initiative 'Cyber Swachhta Pakhwada,' a clarion call to the nation's citizens to fortify their devices against the insidious botnet scourge. The government's Cyber Swachhta Kendra (CSK)—a Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre—stands as a bulwark in this ongoing struggle. It is a digital fortress, conceived under the aegis of the National Cyber Security Policy, with a singular vision: to engender a secure cyber ecosystem within India's borders. The CSK's mandate is clear and compelling—to detect botnet infections within the subcontinent and to notify, enable cleaning, and secure systems of end users to stymie further infections.
What are Bots?
Bots are automated rogue software programs crafted with malevolent intent, lurking in the shadows of the internet. They are the harbingers of harm, capable of data theft, disseminating malware, and orchestrating cyberattacks, among other digital depredations.
A botnet infection is like a parasitic infestation within the electronic sinews of our devices—smartphones, computers, tablets—transforming them into unwitting soldiers in a hacker's malevolent legion. Once ensnared within the botnet's web, these devices become conduits for a plethora of malicious activities: the dissemination of spam, the obstruction of communications, and the pilfering of sensitive information such as banking details and personal credentials.
How, then, does one's device fall prey to such a fate? The vectors are manifold: an infected email attachment opened in a moment of incaution, a malicious link clicked in haste, a file downloaded from the murky depths of an untrusted source, or the use of an unsecured public Wi-Fi network. Each action can be the key that unlocks the door to digital perdition.
In an era where malware attacks and scams proliferate like a plague, the security of our personal devices has ascended to a paramount concern. To address this exigency and to aid individuals in the fortification of their smartphones, the Department of Telecommunications(DoT) has unfurled a suite of free bot removal tools. The government's outreach extends into the ether, dispatching SMS notifications to the populace and disseminating awareness of these digital prophylactics.
Stay Cyber Safe
To protect your device from botnet infections and malware, the Government of India, through CERT-In, recommends downloading the 'Free Bot Removal Tool' at csk.gov.in.' This SMS is not merely a reminder but a beacon guiding users to a safe harbor in the tumultuous seas of cyberspace.
Cyber Swachhta Kendra
The Cyber Swachhta Kendra portal emerges as an oasis in the desert of digital threats, offering free malware detection tools to the vigilant netizen. This portal, also known as the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre, operates in concert with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and antivirus companies, under the stewardship ofCERT-In. It is a repository of knowledge and tools, a digital armoury where users can arm themselves against the specters of botnet infection.
To extricate your device from the clutches of a botnet or to purge the bots and malware that may lurk within, one must embark on a journey to the CSK website. There, under the 'Security Tools' tab, lies the arsenal of antivirus companies, each offering their own bot removal tool. For Windows users, the choice includes stalwarts such as eScan Antivirus, K7 Security, and Quick Heal. Android users, meanwhile, can venture to the Google Play Store and seek out the 'eScan CERT-IN Bot Removal ' tool or 'M-Kavach2,' a digital shield forged by C-DAC Hyderabad.
Once the chosen app is ensconced within your device, it will commence its silent vigil, scanning the digital sinews for any trace of malware, excising any infections with surgical precision. But the CSK portal's offerings extend beyond mere bot removal tools; it also proffers other security applications such as 'USB Pratirodh' and 'AppSamvid.' These tools are not mere utilities but sentinels standing guard over the sanctity of our digital lives.
USB Pratirodh
'USB Pratirodh' is a desktop guardian, regulating the ingress and egress of removable storage media. It demands authentication with each new connection, scanning for malware, encrypting data, and allowing changes to read/write permissions. 'AppSamvid,' on the other hand, is a gatekeeper for Windows users, permitting only trusted executables and Java files to run, safeguarding the system from the myriad threats that lurk in the digital shadows.
Conclusion
In this odyssey through the digital safety frontier, the Cyber Swachhta Kendra stands as a testament to the power of collective vigilance. It is a reminder that in the vast, interconnected web of the internet, the security of one is the security of all. As we navigate the dark corners of the internet, let us equip ourselves with knowledge and tools, and may our devices remain steadfast sentinels in the ceaseless battle against the unseen adversaries of the digital age.
References
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/five-government-provided-botnet-and-malware-cleaning-tools/articleshow/107951686.cms
- https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/cyber-swachhta-kendra-free-botnet-detection-removal-tools-digital-india-8650425/
Executive Summary:
A viral clip where the Indian batsman Virat Kohli is shown endorsing an online casino and declaring a Rs 50,000 jackpot in three days as a guarantee has been proved a fake. In the clip that is accompanied by manipulated captions, Kohli is said to have admitted to being involved in the launch of an online casino during the interview with Graham Bensinger but this is not true. Nevertheless, an investigation showed that the original interview, which was published on YouTube in the last quarter of 2023 by Bensinger, did not have the mentioned words spoken by Kohli. Besides, another AI deepfake analysis tool called Deepware labelled the viral video as a deepfake.
Claims:
The viral video states that cricket star Virat Kohli gets involved in the promotion of an online casino and ensures that the users of the site can make a profit of Rs 50,000 within three days. Conversely, the CyberPeace Research Team has just revealed that the video is a deepfake and not the original and there is no credible evidence suggesting Kohli's participation in such endorsements. A lot of the users are sharing the videos with the wrong info title over different Social Media platforms.
Fact Check:
As soon as we were informed about the news, we made use of Keyword Search to see any news report that could be considered credible about Virat Kohli promoting any Casino app and we found nothing. Therefore, we also used Reverse Image Search for Virat Kohli wearing a Black T-shirt as seen in the video to find out more about the subject. We landed on a YouTube Video by Graham Bensinger, an American Journalist. The clip of the viral video was taken from this original video.
In this video, he discussed his childhood, his diet, his cricket training, his marriage, etc. but did not mention anything regarding a newly launched Casino app by the cricketer.
Through close scrutiny of the viral video we have noticed some inconsistencies in the lip-sync and voice. Subsequently, we executed Deepfake Detection in Deepware tool and identified it to be Deepfake Detected.
Finally, we affirm that the Viral Video Is Deepfakes Video and the statement made is False.
Conclusion:
The video has gone viral and claims that cricketer Virat Kohli is the one endorsing an online casino and assuring you that in three days time you will be a guaranteed winner of Rs 50,000. This is all a fake story. This incident demonstrates the necessity of checking facts and a source before believing any information, as well as remaining sceptical about deepfakes and AI (artificial intelligence), which is a new technology used nowadays for spreading misinformation.
Introduction
The 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election is just around the corner, scheduled for February 5, 2025, with all 70 constituencies heading to the polls. The eagerly awaited results will be announced on February 8, bringing excitement as the people of Delhi prepare to see their chosen leader take the helm as Chief Minister. As the election season unfolds, social media becomes a buzzing hub of activity, with information spreading rapidly across platforms. However, this period also sees a surge in online mis/disinformation, making elections a hotspot for misleading content. It is crucial for citizens to exercise caution and remain vigilant against false or deceptive online posts, videos, or content. Empowering voters to distinguish facts from fiction and recognize the warning signs of misinformation is essential to ensure informed decision-making. By staying alert and well-informed, we can collectively safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
Risks of Mis/Disinformation
According to the 2024 survey report titled ‘Truth Be Told’ by ‘The 23 Watts’, 90% of Delhi’s youth (Gen Z) report witnessing a spike in fake news during elections, and 91% believe it influences voting patterns. Furthermore, the research highlights that 14% of Delhi’s youth tend to share sensational news without fact-checking, relying solely on conjecture.
Recent Measures by ECI
Recently the Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a fresh advisory to political parties to ensure responsible use of AI-generated content in their campaigns. The EC has issued guidelines to curb the potential use of "deepfakes" and AI-generated distorted content by political parties and their representatives to disturb the level playing field. EC has mandated the labelling of all AI-generated content used in election campaigns to enhance transparency, combat misinformation, ensuring a fair electoral process in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Best Practices to Avoid Electoral Mis/Disinformation
- Seek Information from Official Sources: Voters should rely on authenticated sources for information. These include reading official manifestos, following verified advisory notifications from the Election Commission, and avoiding unverified claims or rumours.
- Consume News Responsibly: Voters must familiarize themselves with dependable news channels and make use of reputable fact-checking organizations that uphold the integrity of news content. It is crucial to refrain from randomly sharing or forwarding any news post, video, or message without verifying its authenticity. Consume responsibly, fact-check thoroughly, and share cautiously.
- Role of Fact-Checking: Cross-checking and verifying information from credible sources are indispensable practices. Reliable and trustworthy fact-checking tools are vital for assessing the authenticity of information in the digital space. Voters are encouraged to use these tools to validate information from authenticated sources and adopt a habit of verification on their own. This approach fosters a culture of critical thinking, empowering citizens to counter deceptive deepfakes and malicious misinformation effectively. It also helps create a more informed and resilient electorate.
- Be Aware of Electoral Deepfakes: In the era of artificial intelligence, synthetic media presents significant challenges. Just as videos can be manipulated, voices can also be cloned. It is essential to remain vigilant against the misuse of deepfake audio and video content by malicious actors. Recognize the warning signs, such as inconsistencies or unnatural details, and stay alert to misleading multimedia content. Proactively question and verify such material to avoid falling prey to deception.
References
- https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-90-ofnbsp-delhi-youth-witness-spike-in-fake-news-during-elections-91-believe-it-influences-voting-patterns-revealed-the-23-watts-report-3483166/
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/election-commission-urges-parties-to-disclose-ai-generated-campaign-content-in-interest-of-transparency/articleshow/117306865.cms
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/election-commission-issues-advisory-on-use-of-ai-in-poll-campaigning/article69103888.ece
- https://indiaai.gov.in/article/election-commission-of-india-embraces-ai-ethics-in-campaigning-advisory-on-labelling-ai-generated-content
