#FactCheck - Digitally Altered Image Falsely Shows World Bank President Ajay Banga Holding Khalistani Flag

Introduction

In today's digital economy, data is not only a business asset but also the fuel for innovation, decision-making, and consumer trust. However, the digitisation of services has made personal or sensitive data a top target for cybercriminals. The stakes are high: a data breach can cost millions of fines, cause damage to reputation and devastate the confidence of consumers. Therefore, regulatory compliance and data protection have become a strategic imperative.

From the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU to the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of India, various sector-specific regulations like HIPAA for healthcare in the US, companies are now subject to a web of data protection and compliance laws. The challenge is to balance compliance efforts with strong security, a balance that demands both policy restraint and technical resilience. This blog examines pivotal pillars, shifting trends and actionable best practices for dominating data protection and compliance in 2025 and beyond.

Why Data Protection and Compliance Matter More Than Ever

Data protection isn't just about keeping fines at bay, it's about preserving the relationship with customers, partners and regulators. A 2024 IBM report says the average data-breach cost has now exceeded USD 4.5 million, with regulatory fines constituting a large portion of the cost. In addition to economics, breaches tend to result in intellectual property loss, customer loss and long-term brand attenuation. Compliance ensures organisations remain within certain legislative necessities for collecting, holding, transferring and setting of personal and sensitive information. Failure to conformity can lead to serious penalties: under GDPR, fines could be up to 4% of the company's annual turnover or €20 million, whichever is higher. In regulated sectors like banking and healthcare, compliance breaches can also lead to the suspension of licenses.

Important Regulatory Frameworks Informing 2025

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1. GDPR and Its Global Ripple Effect

GDPR was enacted in 2018 and continues to have a ripple effect on privacy legislation worldwide. Its tenets of lawfulness, transparency, data minimisation and purpose limitation have been replicated in many jurisdictions such as Brazil's LGPD and South Korea's PIPA.

2. India's DPDP Act

The DPDP Act, 2023, gives high importance to consent-based processing of data, transparent notice rules and fiduciary responsibilities for data. With a penalty for default of up to INR 250 crore, it's amongst the most impactful laws for digital personal data protection.

3. Sectoral Regulations

• HIPAA for healthcare information in the US.
• PCI DSS for payment card security.
• DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) in the EU for financial organisations.
• These industry-specific models generate overlapping compliance responsibilities, making cross-enterprise compliance programs vital.

Key Pillars of a Sound Data Protection & Compliance Program

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1. Data Governance and Classification

Having insight into what data you have to store, where it is stored and who can have access to it is the keystone of compliance. Organisations need to have data classification policies in place to group information based on sensitivity and impose more rigorous controls on sensitive data.

2. Security Controls and Privacy by Design

Strong technical defences, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and intrusion detection are the initial defences. Privacy by design integrated in product development guarantees compliance is thought through from the initial stage, not added on afterwards.

3. Consent and Transparency

Contemporary data legislation highlights informed consent. This entails simple, non-technical privacy notices, detailed opt-in choices, and straightforward withdrawal options. Transparency produces trust and lessens legal danger.

4. Incident Response and Breach Notification

Most laws demand timely breach notifications, and GDPR insists on reporting within 72 hours. Having a documented incident response plan maintains legal deadlines and reduces harm.

5. Employee Training and Awareness

Human mistake is the top source of data breaches. Ongoing training in prevention of phishing, password management, basic cyber hygiene and compliance requirements is crucial.

Upcoming Trends in 2025

1.  AI-Powered Compliance Monitoring

Organisations are embracing AI-powered solutions to systematically monitor data flows, identify policy breaches and auto-create compliance reports. The solutions assist in closing the loop between IT security teams and compliance officers.

2. Cross-Border Data Transfer Mechanisms

With increasingly severe regulations, companies are spending more on secure cross-border data transfer frameworks like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs).

3. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs)

Methods such as homomorphic encryption and differential privacy are picking up steam, enabling organisations to sift through datasets without revealing sensitive personal data.

4. ESG and Data Ethics

Data handling is increasingly becoming a part of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting. Ethical utilisation of customer data, not just compliance, has become a reputational differentiator.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite having transparent frameworks, data protection plans encounter challenges like jurisdictions having competing needs, and global compliance is becoming expensive. The emerging technologies, such as generative AI, often bring privacy threats that haven’t been fully covered by legislation. Small and micro enterprises have neither the budget nor the skills to implement enterprise-level compliance programs. Qualifying these challenges often needs a risk-based strategy, allocations of resources to top areas of impact and automating the compliance chores wherever possible.

Best Practices for 2025 and Beyond

In 2025, regulatory compliance and data protection are no longer a precaution or a response to a breach but are strategic drivers of resilience and trust. As regulatory analysis rises, cyber threats evolve, and consumer expectations grow, administrations need to integrate compliance into the very fabric of their actions. By bringing governance and technology together, organisations can break free from a "checklist" mentality and instead adopt a proactive and risk-sensitive approach. Eventually, data protection is not just about not getting in trouble; it's about developing a kind that succeeds in the digital era.

References

1. GDPR – Official EU Regulation Page: https://gdpr.eu 
2. India’s DPDP Act Overview – MeitY: https://www.meity.gov.in/data-protection-framework 
3. HIPAA – US Department of Health & Human Services: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa 
4. PCI DSS Standards: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org 
5. IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024: https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach 
6. OECD – Privacy Guidelines: https://www.oecd.org/sti/privacy-guidelines 

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Executive Summary

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A video featuring the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth, is going viral on social media. The video claims that he made controversial remarks regarding Operation Sindoor and alleged that the previous military leadership hid the bodies of Indian soldiers martyred during the operation. It further claims that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were also kept unaware of the matter. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The research revealed that the viral video was digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI), and the voice heard in the video is not authentic.

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Claim

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A viral video shared on social media platform X claims that newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth said that the bodies of Indian soldiers martyred during Operation Sindoor were hidden and that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were not informed about it. https://archive.ph/oaOgB  , https://x.com/InsiderWB/status/2072434480543899826

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Fact Check

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To verify the viral claim, we searched the internet using relevant keywords including “General Dhiraj Seth statement on Operation Sindoor”, “Operation Sindoor martyrs”, and “dead bodies hidden.” However, we did not find any credible media report stating that Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth made the remarks attributed to him in the viral video. We also checked the official social media handles of the Indian Army, but found no official statement or information supporting the viral claim. During the research, several keyframes from the viral video were extracted and analysed through reverse image search. The search led us to an ANI report published on July 1, 2026, whose watermark is also visible in the viral video. The original footage shows General Dhiraj Seth addressing the public after assuming charge as the Chief of Army Staff. We carefully reviewed General Dhiraj Seth’s entire address but found no mention of hiding the bodies of martyred soldiers or any statement related to the viral claim. The same address was also shared on the official platform of the Indian Army. The video review confirmed that it does not contain any such remarks.

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https://www.facebook.com/reel/1592505052458589

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During the analysis, it was also observed that the name tag on General Dhiraj Seth’s uniform appears distorted in several frames. Such inconsistencies are commonly seen in AI-generated or digitally manipulated videos. To verify the authenticity of the video, we analysed it using multiple AI detection tools. The results from all the tools were consistent. Hive Moderation’s analysis indicated a high probability that the viral media contains AI-generated or deepfake content.

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Undetectable AI’s analysis also concluded that the voice heard in the viral video was likely generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

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Conclusion

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Our research found that the viral video is not authentic. There is no evidence that Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth ever accused the previous military leadership of concealing the bodies of soldiers martyred during Operation Sindoor. The video has been digitally manipulated, and the claim being circulated on social media is misleading.

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Introduction

Cybercrime is one of the most pressing concerns in today’s era. As the digital world is evolving rapidly, so do the threats and challenges to curb these cybercrimes. The complexities associated with the evolving cybercrimes make it difficult to detect and investigate by the law enforcement across the world. India is one of those countries that is actively engaged in creating awareness about the cybercrimes and security concerns across the State. At the national level, initiatives like National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, CERT-In and I4C have been established to assist the law enforcement in dealing with cybercrimes in India. According to the press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 12,5153 cases of Financial Cyber Frauds were reported in the year 2023, which is the second highest in State-wise Reporting after UP. Maharashtra has been highlighted as one of the States with the highest cybercrime cases for the past few years. 

In response to curbing the increasing number of cases, the state of Maharashtra has launched the initiative ‘the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project’. The purpose of this project is to strengthen the system’s defense mechanism by establishing cybersecurity infrastructure, exploiting technological advancements and enhancing the skills of law enforcement agencies. 

Maharashtra Cyber Department and the Cyber Security Project

The Maharashtra Cyber Department, also referred as MahaCyber was established in the year 2016 and employs a multi-faceted approach to address cyberthreats. The objective is to provide a user-friendly space to report Cybercrimes, safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure from cyber threats, empowering the investigation law agencies ultimately improving its efficiency and creating awareness among common people.  

The Maharashtra Cyber Security Project aims to strengthen the department, bringing all the aspects of the cyber security system under one facility. The key components of the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project are as follows: 

• Command & Control Centre:

The Command & Control Centre will function as a 24/ complaint registration hub and grievance handling mechanism which can be accessed by calling the helpline number, mobile app or on the online portal. The Centre continuously monitors cyber threats, reduce the impact of cyber attacks and ensures that issues are resolved as soon as possible. 

• Technology Assisted Investigation (TAI):

Complaints that are registered are analysed and investigated by experts using cutting edge technologies such as Computer Forensic or Mobile Forensic, Voice Analysis System, Image Enhancement Tool, Deepfake Detection Solution to name a few which helps the Maharashtra Cyber Department to collect evidence, identify weak spots and mitigate the cyber threats effectively.   

• Computer Emergency Response Team – Maharashtra (CERT-MH):

The CRET-MH works on curbing cybercrimes which are especially targeted to affect the Critical Infrastructure like banks, railway services, electricity of the State and threats related to national security using technologies such as Deep web and Dark web analysis, Darknet & Threat Intelligence Feeds, Vulnerability Management, Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform, Malware Analysis and Network Capture Analysis and coordinates with other agencies. 

• Security Operations Centre (SOC):

The SOC looks after the security of the MahaCyber from any cyber threats. It 24/7 monitors the infrastructure for any signs of breach or threats and thus aids in early detection and prevention of any further harm. 

• Centre of Excellence (COE):

The Centre of Excellence focuses on training the police officials to equip them with desired tools and technologies to deal with cyber threats. The Centre also works on creating awareness about various cyber threats among the citizens of the state. 

• Nodal Cyber Police Station:

The Nodal Cyber Police Station works as a focal point for all cybercrime related law enforcement activities. It is responsible for coordinating the investigation procedure and prevention of cybercrimes within the state. Such Cyber Police Stations have been established in each district of Maharashtra. 

Funds of Funds to scale up Startups

The government of Maharashtra through the Fund of Funds for Startups scheme has invested in more than 300 startups that align with the objective of cyber security and digital safety. The government is promoting ideas and cyber defence innovation which will help to push the boundaries of traditional cybersecurity tools and improve the State’s ability to tackle cybercrimes.  Such partnerships can be a cost-effective solution that proactively promotes a culture of cybersecurity across industries. 

Dynamic Cyber Platform

The government of Maharashtra has been working on creating a dynamic cyber platform that would assist them in tackling cybercrimes and save hundreds of crores of rupees in a short span of time. The platform will act as a link between various stakeholders such as banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and social media providers to provide a technology-driven solution to the evolving cybercrimes. As a part of this process, the government has invited tenders and has called top IT companies from the world to participate and aid them in setting up this dynamic cyber platform. 

Why Does The Initiative By Maharashtra’s Government Act As A Model For Other States

The components of the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project and the dynamic cyber platform create a comprehensive system which aims at tackling the increasing complexities of cyber threats. The initiative with integration on cutting edge technologies, specialised institutions, expert professionals from various industries and real-time monitoring of cybercrimes sets an example that Maharashtra is well-equipped to prevent, detect and respond to cybercrimes being reported in the State. The project collaborates between government and law enforcement agencies, providing them proper training and addressing grievances of the public. By working on four key areas, i.e. centralised platform for reporting, collaboration between government and private sectors, public awareness and use of advanced technologies, the Cyber Security System in Maharashtra serves as a model for creating secure digital space and tackling cybercrime effectively on a large scale.  

Other States in India could certainly adopt similar models and achieve success in curbing cybercrimes. They need to create a dedicated response team consisting of trained personnel, invest in advanced software as used by Maharashtra, foster partnerships with companies or startups involved in AI and technology to build resilient cybersecurity infrastructures. The government of Maharashtra can extend hands to assist other states to establish a model that addresses the evolving cybercrimes efficiently.  

References

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2003158 
• https://mhcyber.gov.in/about-us 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjPw-8afTTw 
• https://www.ltts.com/press-release/maharashtra-inaugurates-india-first-integrated-cyber-command-control-center-ltts 
• https://theprint.in/india/maharashtra-tackling-evolving-cyber-crimes-through-dynamic-platform-cm/2486772/ ‍
• https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-dynamic-cyber-security-platform-in-the-offing-says-fadnavis