#FactCheck - Debunking Viral Photo: Tears of Photographer Not Linked to Ram Mandir Opening
Executive Summary:
A photographer breaking down in tears in a viral photo is not connected to the Ram Mandir opening. Social media users are sharing a collage of images of the recently dedicated Lord Ram idol at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, along with a claimed shot of the photographer crying at the sight of the deity. A Facebook post that posts this video says, "Even the cameraman couldn't stop his emotions." The CyberPeace Research team found that the event happened during the AFC Asian Cup football match in 2019. During a match between Iraq and Qatar, an Iraqi photographer started crying since Iraq had lost and was out of the competition.
Claims:
The photographer in the widely shared images broke down in tears at seeing the icon of Lord Ram during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir's consecration. The Collage was also shared by many users in other Social Media like X, Reddit, Facebook. An Facebook user shared and the Caption of the Post reads,
Fact Check:
CyberPeace Research team reverse image searched the Photographer, and it landed to several memes from where the picture was taken, from there we landed to a Pinterest Post where it reads, “An Iraqi photographer as his team is knocked out of the Asian Cup of Nations”
Taking an indication from this we did some keyword search and tried to find the actual news behind this Image. We landed at the official Asian Cup X (formerly Twitter) handle where the image was shared 5 years ago on 24 Jan, 2019. The Post reads, “Passionate. Emotional moment for an Iraqi photographer during the Round of 16 clash against ! #AsianCup2019”
We are now confirmed about the News and the origin of this image. To be noted that while we were investigating the Fact Check we also found several other Misinformation news with the Same photographer image and different Post Captions which was all a Misinformation like this one.
Conclusion:
The recent Viral Image of the Photographer claiming to be associated with Ram Mandir Opening is Misleading, the Image of the Photographer was a 5 years old image where the Iraqi Photographer was seen Crying during the Asian Cup Football Competition but not of recent Ram Mandir Opening. Netizens are advised not to believe and share such misinformation posts around Social Media.
- Claim: A person in the widely shared images broke down in tears at seeing the icon of Lord Ram during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir's consecration.
- Claimed on: Facebook, X, Reddit
- Fact Check: Fake
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Introduction
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide a framework for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to deal with cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs approved a scheme for the establishment of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in October 2018. I4C is actively working towards initiatives to combat the emerging threats in cyberspace and it has become a strong pillar of India’s cyber security and cybercrime prevention. The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ equipped with a 24x7 helpline number 1930, is one of the key components of the I4C.
On 10 September 2024, I4Ccelebrated its foundation day for the first time at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This celebration marked a major milestone in India’s efforts against cybercrimes and in enhancing its cybersecurity infrastructure. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, launched key initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity landscape.
Launch of Key Initiatives to Strengthen Cybersecurity
- Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC): As a product of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision, the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC), was incorporated to bring together banks, financial institutions, telecom companies, Internet Service Providers, and law enforcement agencies on a single platform to tackle online financial crimes efficiently. This integrated approach is expected to minimise the time required to streamline operations and to track and neutralise cyber fraud.
- Cyber Commando: The Cyber Commandos Program is an initiative in which a specialised wing of trained Cyber Commandos will be established in states, Union Territories, and Central Police Organizations. These commandos will work to secure the nation’s digital space and counter rising cyber threats. They will form the first line of defence in safeguarding India from the growing cyber threats.
- Samanvay Platform: The Samanvay platform is a web-based Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facility System that was introduced as a one-stop data repository for cybercrime. It facilitates cybercrime mapping, data analytics, and cooperation among law enforcement agencies across the country. This will play a pivotal role in fostering collaborations in combating cybercrimes. Mr. Shah recognised the Samanvay platform as a crucial step in fostering data sharing and collaboration. He called for a shift from the “need to know” principle to a “duty to share” mindset in dealing with cyber threats. The Samanvay platform will serve as India’s first shared data repository, significantly enhancing the country’s cybercrime response.
- Suspect Registry: The Suspect Registry Portal is a national-level platform that has been designed to track cybercriminals. The portal registry will be connected to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) which aims to help banks, financial intermediaries, and law enforcement agencies strengthen fraud risk management. The initiative is expected to improve the real-time tracking of cyber suspects, preventing repeat offences and improving fraud detection mechanisms.
Rising Digitalization: Prioritizing Cybersecurity
The number of internet users in India has grown from 25 crores in 2014 to 95 crores in 2024, accompanied by a 78-foldincrease in data consumption. This growth is echoed in the number of growing cybersecurity challenges in the digital era. With the rise of digital transactions through Jan Dhan accounts, Rupay debit cards, and UPI systems, Shri Shah underscored the growing threat of digital fraud. He emphasised the need to protect personal data, prevent online harassment, and counter misinformation, fake news, and child abuse in the digital space.
The three new criminal laws, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which aim to strengthen India’s legal framework for cybercrime prevention, were also referred to in the address bythe Home Minister. These laws incorporate tech-driven solutions that will ensure investigations are conducted scientifically and effectively.
Mr. Shah emphasised popularising the 1930Cyber Crime Helpline. Additionally, he noted that I4C has issued over 600advisories, blocked numerous websites and social media pages operated by cybercriminals, and established a National Cyber Forensic Laboratory in Delhi. Over 1,100 officers have already received cyber forensics training under theI4C umbrella.
In response to the regional cybercrime challenges, the formation of Joint Cyber Coordination Teams in cybercrime hotspot areas like Mewat, Jamtara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam and Guwahati was highlighted as a coordinated response to local cybercrime hotspot issues.
Conclusion
With the launch of initiatives like the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre, the Samanvay platform, and the Cyber Commandos Program, I4C is positioned to play a crucial role in combating cybercrime. The I4C is moving forward with a clear vision for a secure digital future and safeguarding India's digital ecosystem.
References:
● https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2053438
Executive Summary:
Viral pictures featuring US Secret Service agents smiling while protecting former President Donald Trump during a planned attempt to kill him in Pittsburgh have been clarified as photoshopped pictures. The pictures making the rounds on social media were produced by AI-manipulated tools. The original image shows no smiling agents found on several websites. The event happened with Thomas Mathew Crooks firing bullets at Trump at an event in Butler, PA on July 13, 2024. During the incident one was deceased and two were critically injured. The Secret Service stopped the shooter, and circulating photos in which smiles were faked have stirred up suspicion. The verification of the face-manipulated image was debunked by the CyberPeace Research Team.
Claims:
Viral photos allegedly show United States Secret Service agents smiling while rushing to protect former President Donald Trump during an attempted assassination in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the posts, we searched for any credible source that supports the claim made, we found several articles and images of the incident but in those the images were different.
This image was published by CNN news media, in this image we can see the US Secret Service protecting Donald Trump but not smiling. We then checked for AI Manipulation in the image using the AI Image Detection tool, True Media.
We then checked with another AI Image detection tool named, contentatscale AI image detection, which also found it to be AI Manipulated.
Comparison of both photos:
Hence, upon lack of credible sources and detection of AI Manipulation concluded that the image is fake and misleading.
Conclusion:
The viral photos claiming to show Secret Service agents smiling when protecting former President Donald Trump during an assassination attempt have been proven to be digitally manipulated. The original image found on CNN Media shows no agents smiling. The spread of these altered photos resulted in misinformation. The CyberPeace Research Team's investigation and comparison of the original and manipulated images confirm that the viral claims are false.
- Claim: Viral photos allegedly show United States Secret Service agents smiling while rushing to protect former President Donald Trump during an attempted assassination in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Claimed on: X, Thread
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
Introduction
Misinformation is no longer a challenge limited to major global platforms or widely spoken languages. In India and many other countries, false information is increasingly disseminated through local and vernacular languages, allowing it to reach communities more directly and intimately. While regional language content has played a crucial role in expanding access to information, it has also emerged as a powerful driver of misinformation by bad actors, and it often becomes harder to detect and counter. The challenge of local language misinformation is not merely digital in nature; it is deeply social, cultural, and shaped by specific local contexts.
Why Local-Language Misinformation Is More Impactful
A person’s mother tongue can be a highly effective medium for misinformation because it carries emotional resonance and a sense of authenticity. Information that aligns with an individual’s linguistic and cultural background is often trusted the most. When false narratives are framed using familiar expressions, local references, or community-specific concerns, they are more readily accepted and shared more widely.
Misinformation in a language like English, which is more heavily moderated, does not usually have the same impact as content in vernacular languages. In the latter case, such content tends to circulate within closed networks such as family WhatsApp groups, regional Facebook pages, local YouTube channels, and community forums. These spaces are often perceived as safe or trusted, which lowers scepticism and encourages the spread of unverified information.
The Role of Digital Platforms and Algorithms
Although social media platforms have opened up access to the content of regional languages, the moderation mechanisms have not kept up. The automated control systems for content are frequently trained mainly on the dominant languages, thus missing the detection of vernacular speech, slang, dialects, and code-mixing.
This results in a disparity in the enforcement of laws where misinformation in local languages:
- Doesn’t go through automated fact-checking tools
- Is subject to human moderation takes place at a slower pace
- Is less prone to being reported or flagged
- Gains unrestrained access for a longer time period than first imagined
The problem is further magnified by algorithmic amplification. Content that triggers very strong emotional reactions fear, anger, pride, or outrage, has a higher chance of being promoted, irrespective of its truthfulness. In regional situations, such content may very quickly sway public opinion even in very closely knit communities.
Forms of Vernacular Misinformation
Local-language misinformation appears in various forms:
- Health misinformation, with such examples as panic remedies, vaccine myths, and misleading medical prescriptions
- Political misinformation, which is mostly identified with regional identity, local grievances, or community narratives
- Rumours regarding disasters that are very hard to control and spread hatred during floods, earthquakes, or other public emergencies
- Economic and financial frauds that are perpetrated via the local dialect authorities or trusted institutions
- Cultural and religious untruths, which are based on exploiting the core of the beliefs
The regional aspect of such misinformation makes it very difficult to be corrected because the fact-checks in other languages may not get to that audience.
Community-Level Consequences
The effect of misinformation in local languages is not only about the misdirection of individuals. It can also:
- Negatively affect the process of public institutions gaining trust
- Support social polarisation and communal strife
- Get in the way of public health measures
- Help shape the decision-making process in elections at the grassroots level
- Take advantage of the digitally illiterate poor people
In a lot of scenarios, the damage done is not instant but rather accumulative, thus changing perceptions and supporting false worldviews more.
Why Countering Vernacular Misinformation Is Difficult
Multiple structural layers make it difficult to respond effectively:
- Variety of Languages: Just in India, there are many languages and dialects, which are very hard to monitor universally.
- Culturally Aware Systems: The local languages sometimes bear meanings that are deeply rooted in the culture, such as by using sarcasm or referring to history, and automated systems are unable to interpret it correctly.
- Reporting Not Common: Users might not spot misinformation or may not want to be a part of the struggle by showing the content shared by reliable members of the community.
- Insufficient Fact-Checking Capacity: Resources are often unavailable for fact-checking organisations to perform their duties worldwide in different languages effectively.
Building a Community-Centric Response
Overcoming misinformation in local languages needs a community-driven resilience approach instead of a platform-centric one. Some of the key actions are:
- Boosting Digital Literacy: Users will be able to question, verify, and put the content on hold before sharing it, thanks to the regional language awareness campaigns that will be conducted.
- Facilitating Local Fact-Checkers: Local journalists, educators, and NGOs are the main players in providing the context for verification.
- Accountability of Platforms: It is necessary for technology companies to support global moderation in several languages, the hiring of local experts, and the implementation of transparent enforcement mechanisms.
- Contemplating Policy and Governance: Regulatory frameworks should facilitate proactive risk assessment while controlling the right to free expression.
- Establishment of Trusted Local Intermediaries: Community leaders, health workers, teachers, and local organisations can engage in preventing misinformation among the networks that they are trusted in.
The Way Forward
Misinformation in local languages is not a minor concern; it is an issue that directly affects the future of digital trust. As the number of users accessing the internet through local language interfaces continues to grow, the volume and influence of regional content will also increase. If measures do not include all language groups, misinformation will remain least corrected and most influential at the community level, where it is also the hardest to identify and address.
Such a problem exists only if the power of language is not recognised. Therefore, one can say that it is necessary to protect the quality of information in local languages, not only for digital safety but for other factors as well, such as social cohesion, democratic participation, and public well-being.
Conclusion
Vernacular content has the potential to be very powerful in the ways it can inform, include and empower; meanwhile, if it goes unmonitored, it has the same potential to mislead, divide, and harm. Mis-disinformation in local languages calls for the cooperation of platforms, regulators, NGOs, and the communities involved. To win over the digital ecosystem, it has to speak all languages, not only for communication but also for protection.
References
- https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/10/2/15
- https://afpr.in/regional-languages-shaping-indias-online-discourse/
- https://medium.com/@pratikgsalvi03/how-indias-misinformation-surge-and-media-credibility-crisis-are-undermining-democracy-public-dc8ad7be8e12
- https://projectshakti.in/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02683962211037693
- https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-8-issue-11/505-518.pdf
- https://www.irjmets.com/upload_newfiles/irjmets71200016652/paper_file/irjmets71200016652.pdf
