#FactCheck - Digitally Altered Video of Olympic Medalist, Arshad Nadeem’s Independence Day Message

Introduction

The spread of information in the quickly changing digital age presents both advantages and difficulties. The phrases "misinformation" and "disinformation" are commonly used in conversations concerning information inaccuracy. It's important to counter such prevalent threats, especially in light of how they affect countries like India. It becomes essential to investigate the practical ramifications of misinformation/disinformation and other prevalent digital threats. Like many other nations, India has had to deal with the fallout from fraudulent internet actions in 2023, which has highlighted the critical necessity for strong cybersecurity safeguards. 

The Emergence of AI Chatbots; OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard

The launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in November 2022 was a major turning point in the AI space, inspiring the creation of rival chatbot ‘Google's Bard’ (Launched in 2023). These chatbots represent a significant breakthrough in artificial intelligence (AI) as they produce replies by combining information gathered from huge databases, driven by Large Language Models (LLMs). In the same way, AI picture generators that make use of diffusion models and existing datasets have attracted a lot of interest in 2023. 

Deepfake Proliferation in 2023

Deepfake technology's proliferation in 2023 contributed to misinformation/disinformation in India, affecting politicians, corporate leaders, and celebrities. Some of these fakes were used for political purposes while others were for creating pornographic and entertainment content. Social turmoil, political instability, and financial ramifications were among the outcomes. The lack of tech measures about the same added difficulties in detection & prevention, causing widespread synthetic content.

Challenges of Synthetic Media

Problems of synthetic media, especially AI-powered or synthetic Audio video content proliferated widely during 2023 in India. These included issues with political manipulation, identity theft, disinformation, legal and ethical issues, security risks, difficulties with identification, and issues with media integrity.  It covered an array of consequences, ranging from financial deception and the dissemination of false information to swaying elections and intensifying intercultural conflicts.

Biometric Fraud Surge in 2023

Biometric fraud in India, especially through the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS), has become a major threat in 2023. Due to the AePS's weaknesses being exploited by cybercriminals, many depositors have had their hard-earned assets stolen by fraudulent activity. This demonstrates the real effects of biometric fraud on those who have had their Aadhaar-linked data manipulated and unauthorized access granted. The use of biometric data in financial systems raises more questions about the security and integrity of the nation's digital payment systems in addition to endangering individual financial stability. 

Government strategies to counter digital threats

• The Indian Union Government has sent a warning to the country's largest social media platforms, highlighting the importance of exercising caution when spotting and responding to deepfake and false material. The advice directs intermediaries to delete reported information within 36 hours, disable access in compliance with IT Rules 2021, and act quickly against content that violates laws and regulations. The government's dedication to ensuring the safety of digital citizens was underscored by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who also stressed the gravity of deepfake crimes, which disproportionately impact women. 
• The government has recently come up with an advisory to social media intermediaries to identify misinformation and deepfakes and to make sure of the compliance of Information Technology (IT) Rules 2021. It is the legal obligation of online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation and exercise due diligence or reasonable efforts to identify misinformation and deepfakes.
• The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2021 were amended in 2023. The online gaming industry is required to abide by a set of rules. These include not hosting harmful or unverified online games, not promoting games without approval from the SRB, labelling real-money games with a verification mark, educating users about deposit and winning policies, setting up a quick and effective grievance redressal process, requesting user information, and forbidding the offering of credit or financing for real-money gaming. These steps are intended to guarantee ethical and open behaviour throughout the online gaming industry.
• With an emphasis on Personal Data Protection, the government enacted the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. It is a brand-new framework for digital personal data protection which aims to protect the individual's digital personal data. 
• The " Cyber Swachhta Kendra " (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) is a part of the Government of India's Digital India initiative under the (MeitY) to create a secure cyberspace. It uses malware research and botnet identification to tackle cybersecurity. It works with antivirus software providers and internet service providers to establish a safer digital environment.

Strategies by Social Media Platforms 

Various social media platforms like YouTube, and Meta have reformed their policies on misinformation and disinformation. This shows their comprehensive strategy for combating deepfake, misinformation/disinformation content on the network. The platform YouTube prioritizes eliminating content that transgresses its regulations, decreasing the amount of questionable information that is recommended, endorsing reliable news sources, and assisting reputable authors. YouTube uses unambiguous facts and expert consensus to thwart misrepresentation. In order to quickly delete information that violates policies, a mix of content reviewers and machine learning is used throughout the enforcement process. Policies are designed in partnership with external experts and producers. In order to improve the overall quality of information that users have access to, the platform also gives users the ability to flag material, places a strong emphasis on media literacy, and gives precedence to giving context.

Meta’s policies address different misinformation categories, aiming for a balance between expression, safety, and authenticity. Content directly contributing to imminent harm or political interference is removed, with partnerships with experts for assessment. To counter misinformation, the efforts include fact-checking partnerships, directing users to authoritative sources, and promoting media literacy. 

Promoting ‘Tech for Good’

By 2024,  the vision for "Tech for Good" will have expanded to include programs that enable people to understand the ever-complex digital world and promote a more secure and reliable online community. The emphasis is on using technology to strengthen cybersecurity defenses and combat dishonest practices. This entails encouraging digital literacy and providing users with the knowledge and skills to recognize and stop false information, online dangers, and cybercrimes. Furthermore, the focus is on promoting and exposing effective strategies for preventing cybercrime through cooperation between citizens, government agencies, and technology businesses. The intention is to employ technology's good aspects to build a digital environment that values security, honesty, and moral behaviour while also promoting innovation and connectedness. 

Conclusion 

In the evolving digital landscape, difficulties are presented by false information powered by artificial intelligence and the misuse of advanced technology by bad actors. Notably, there are ongoing collaborative efforts and progress in creating a secure digital environment. Governments, social media corporations, civil societies and tech companies have shown a united commitment to tackling the intricacies of the digital world in 2024 through their own projects. It is evident that everyone has a shared obligation to establish a safe online environment with the adoption of ethical norms, protective laws, and cybersecurity measures. The "Tech for Good" goal for 2024, which emphasizes digital literacy, collaboration, and the ethical use of technology, seems promising. The cooperative efforts of people, governments, civil societies and tech firms will play a crucial role as we continue to improve our policies, practices, and technical solutions.

References:

• https://news.abplive.com/fact-check/deepfakes-ai-driven-misinformation-year-2023-brought-new-era-of-digital-deception-abpp-1651243
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1975445

Introduction

Google is set to change its storage and access of users' "Location History" in Google Maps, reducing the data retention period and making it impossible for the company to access it. This change will significantly impact "geofence warrants," a controversial legal tool used by authorities to force Google to hand over information about all users within a given location during a specific timeframe. This decision is a significant win for privacy advocates and criminal defense attorneys who have long decried these warrants.

The company aims to protect people's privacy by removing the repository of location data dating back months or years. Geofence warrants, which provide police with sensitive data on individuals, are considered dangerous and could turn innocent people into suspects. 

Understanding Geofence Warrants

Geofence warrants, also known as reverse-location warrants, are used by law enforcement agencies to obtain locational data stored by tech companies within a specified geographical area and timeframe to identify devices near a crime scene. In contrast to general warrants, which allow law enforcement agencies to obtain data of one individual (usually the suspect), geofence warrants enable law enforcement authorities to obtain data for all individuals in a specific location and subsequently track and trace any device that may be linked to a crime scene. Geofence warrants have become a major issue, with law enforcement agencies utilising them to obtain location data from tech companies.

Privacy Concerns of Geofence Warrants

While Geofence warrants allow law enforcement agencies to determine and identify potential suspects, these warrants have sparked controversy for their invasive characteristics. Civil rights activities and various technology companies have raised concerns over the impact of these warrants on the rights of data principals. It is noted that geofence warrants mark a rise in cases of state surveillance and police harassment. Not only is any data principal in the vicinity of the crime scene classified as a potential suspect, but companies are also compelled to submit identifying personal data on every device/phone in a marked geographic space.

From Surveillance to Safeguards

Geofence warrants have become a contentious tool for law enforcement worldwide, with concerns over privacy and civil liberties, especially in sensitive situations like protests and healthcare. Google is considering allowing users to store their location data on their devices, potentially ending the use of geofence warrants, which law enforcement agencies use to obtain location data from tech companies.

Google is changing its handling of Location History data, moving it on-device instead of on its servers. The default data retention period will be reduced. Google Maps' product director, Marlo McGriff, stated that the company will automatically encrypt backed-up data for cloud backups, preventing anyone from reading it. When these changes are implemented, Google will have no geodata fishing options for users. Google confirmed that it will no longer be able to respond to new geofence warrants once these changes are implemented, as it will not have access to the relevant data. The changes were designed to put an end to dragnet searches of location data.

Conclusion

Google's decision to change storage and access policies for users' location history in Google Maps marks a pivotal step in the ongoing narrative of law enforcement's misuse of geofence warrants. This move aims to safeguard individual privacy by significantly restricting the data retention period and limiting Google's ability to comply with geofence warrants. This change is welcomed by privacy advocates and legal professionals who express concerns over the intrusive nature of these warrants, which may potentially turn innocent individuals into suspects based on their proximity to a crime scene. As technology companies take steps to enhance user privacy, the evolving landscape calls for a balance between law enforcement needs and protecting individual rights in an era of increasing digital surveillance.  

References:

• https://techobserver.in/news/policy/will-googles-transition-to-on-device-location-storage-end-geofence-warrants-abuse-280852/

• https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/google-to-end-geofence-warrant-requests-for-users-location-data/106081499
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/cyrusfarivar/2023/12/14/google-just-killed-geofence-warrants-police-location-data/?sh=313da3c32c86
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/explained-how-google-maps-is-preventing-authorities-from-accessing-users-location-history-data/articleshow/106086639.cms

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As e-commerce companies expand their base and sell a wide range of products on their platforms, attackers continue to look for newer avenues to exploit and potential loopholes to perpetuate scams. A recent method used by scammers is the brushing scam, which targets online shoppers to drive sales. As per reports, it is already being conducted on popular and trusted e-commerce websites such as Amazon and Alibaba Express, and online shoppers must exercise caution with regard to the packages they receive.

The Brushing Scam

Deriving its name from China’s e-commerce practice, this scam includes sellers creating and sending fake orders to unsuspecting individuals, posing to be from e-commerce websites in order to ‘brush up’ the sales figures of their product. The products received are usually low quality and contain items such as low-cost jewellery, seeds, and random gadgets, among other things. The aim is to manipulate reviews for a particular product and make it seem popular so other buyers online are encouraged to purchase the items marketed. Most online shoppers today check reviews before making a purchase, and popular items and seemingly-trustworthy reviews can go a long way towards influencing customer behaviour. Since many platforms do include labels to authenticate reviews tied to genuine purchases to counter fake reviews, scammers have evolved a step further to develop an MO for fake reviews that holds up against basic levels of scrutiny. Some of the packages received under the brushing scam also have QR codes which once scanned lead the receiver to malicious websites.

CyberPeace Insights

Mysterious deliveries that have no information but your name and address may seem tempting to many, as receivers might assume that it could be a marketing gig and free products to try for the sake of promoting a product. The credibility of such deliveries increases as they are packaged to show that these are delivered through trusted online shopping and e-commerce sites. However, even though receiving products for free might seem harmless, it is advised that unknown items be dealt with carefully, more so when addressed to an individual with personal details. Receiving an order itself is an indication that personal information such as one’s name and address has been compromised, and it is likely that the sellers are involved in procuring personal information through a third party, often using illegal methods.

Registering complaints to the concerned e-commerce websites is encouraged, as the frequency of cases raises questions and encourages platforms to take action to ensure a secure buying and delivery experience from their end. An awareness of such scams being carried out for their customers could encourage caution on the part of these platforms and prove to be helpful in addressing the issue on multiple levels. On the part of the receivers, they can change the passwords of their e-commerce accounts and use a 2FA (2-factor authentication) for better security. They should also exercise caution while receiving such parcels, and avoid scanning QR codes on suspicious items.

References

1. https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/brushing-scam-explained-from-fake-orders-to-reviews-how-fraudsters-are-manipulating-online-shopping-platforms-11735824384866.html
2. https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news/beware-of-amazon-scams-how-fraudsters-use-fake-reviews-to-sell-counterfeit-products-2025-01-02-969115
3. https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/brushing-scam-now-makes-buzz-as-it-targets-online-shoppers-everything-you-need-to-know-2659172-2025-01-03
4. https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/news/brushing-scam-now-makes-buzz-as-it-targets-online-shoppers-everything-you-need-to-know/ar-AA1wTvon 

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