#FactCheck - Viral Image of AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi Holding Lord Rama Portrait Proven Fake
Executive Summary:
In recent times an image showing the President of AIMIM, Asaduddin Owaisi holding a portrait of Hindu deity Lord Rama, has gone viral on different social media platforms. After conducting a reverse image search, CyberPeace Research Team then found that the picture was fake. The screenshot of the Facebook post made by Asaduddin Owaisi in 2018 reveals him holding Ambedkar’s picture. But the photo which has been morphed shows Asaduddin Owaisi holding a picture of Lord Rama with a distorted message gives totally different connotations in the political realm because in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Asaduddin Owaisi is a candidate from Hyderabad. This means there is a need to ensure that before sharing any information one must check it is original in order to eliminate fake news.
Claims:
AIMIM Party leader Asaduddin Owaisi standing with the painting of Hindu god Rama and the caption that reads his interest towards Hindu religion.
Fact Check:
In order to investigate the posts, we ran a reverse search of the image. We identified a photo that was shared on the official Facebook wall of the AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on 7th April 2018.
Comparing the two photos we found that the painting Asaduddin Owaisi is holding is of B.R Ambedkar whereas the viral image is of Lord Rama, and the original photo was posted in the year 2018.
Hence, it was concluded that the viral image was digitally modified to spread false propaganda.
Conclusion:
The photograph of AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi holding up one painting of Lord Rama is fake as it has been morphed. The photo that Asaduddin Owaisi uploaded on a Facebook page on 7 Apr 2018 depicted him holding a picture of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. This photograph was digitally altered and the false captions were written to give an altogether different message of Asaduddin Owaisi. It has even highlighted the necessity of fighting fake news that has spread widely through social media platforms especially during the political realm.
- Claim: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi was holding a painting of the Hindu god Lord Rama in his hand.
- Claimed on: X (Formerly known as Twitter)
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
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Introduction
The rise of unreliable social media newsgroups on online platforms has significantly altered the way people consume and interact with news, contributing to the spread of misinformation and leading to sources of unverified and misleading content. Unlike traditional news outlets that adhere to journalistic standards, these newsgroups often lack proper fact-checking and editorial oversight, leading to the rapid dissemination of false or distorted information. Social media transformed individuals into active content creators. Social media newsgroups (SMNs) are social media platforms used as sources of news and information. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center (July-August 2024), 54% of U.S. adults now rely on social media for news. This rise in SMNs has raised concerns over the integrity of online news and undermines trust in legitimate news sources. Social media users are advised to consume information and news from authentic sources or channels available on social media platforms.
The Growing Issue of Misinformation in Social Media Newsgroups
Social media newsgroups have become both a source of vital information and a conduit for misinformation. While these platforms allow rapid news sharing and facilitate political and social campaigns, they also pose significant risks of unverified information. Misleading information, often driven by algorithms designed to maximise user engagement, proliferates in these spaces. This has led to increasing challenges, as SMNs cater to diverse communities with varying political affiliations, gender demographics, and interests. This sometimes results in the creation of echo chambers where information is not critically assessed, amplifying the confirmation bias and enabling the unchecked spread of misinformation. A prominent example is the false narratives surrounding COVID-19 vaccines that spread across SMNs, contributing to widespread vaccine hesitancy and public health risks.
Understanding the Susceptibility of Online Newsgroups to Misinformation
Several factors make social media newsgroups particularly susceptible to misinformation. Some of the factors are listed below:
- The lack of robust fact-checking mechanisms in social media news groups can lead to false narratives which can spread easily.
- The lack of expertise from admins of online newsgroups, who are often regular users without journalism knowledge, can result in the spreading of inaccurate information. Their primary goal of increasing engagement may overshadow concerns about accuracy and credibility.
- The anonymity of users exacerbates the problem of misinformation. It allows users to share unverified or misleading content without accountability.
- The viral nature of social media also leads to the vast spread of misinformation to audiences instantly, often outpacing efforts to correct it.
- Unlike traditional media outlets, online newsgroups often lack formal fact-checking processes. This absence allows misinformation to circulate without verification, making it easier for inaccuracies to go unchallenged.
- The sheer volume of user engagement in the form of posts has created the struggle to moderate content effectively imposing significant challenges.
- Social Media Platforms have algorithms designed to enhance user engagement and inadvertently amplify sensational or emotionally charged content, which is more likely to be false.
Consequences of Misinformation in Newsgroups
The societal impacts of misinformation in SMNs are profound. Political polarisation can fuel one-sided views and create deep divides in democratic societies. Health risks emerge when false information spreads about critical issues, such as the anti-vaccine movements or misinformation related to public health crises. Misinformation has dire long-term implications and has the potential to destabilise governments and erode trust in media, in both traditional and social media leading to undermining democracy. If unaddressed, the consequences could continue to ripple through society, perpetuating false narratives that shape public opinion.
Steps to Mitigate Misinformation in Social Media Newsgroups
- Educating users in social media literacy education can empower critical assessment of the information encountered, reducing the spread of false narratives.
- Introducing stricter platform policies, including penalties for deliberately sharing misinformation, may act as a deterrent against sharing unverified information.
- Collaborative fact-checking initiatives with involvement from social media platforms, independent journalists, and expert organisations can provide a unified front against the spread of false information.
- From a policy perspective, a holistic approach that combines platform responsibility with user education and governmental and industry oversight is essential to curbing the spread of misinformation in social media newsgroups.
Conclusion
The emergence of Social media newsgroups has revolutionised the dissemination of information. This rapid spread of misinformation poses a significant challenge to the integrity of news in the digital age. It gets further amplified by algorithmic echo chambers unchecked user engagement and profound societal implications. A multi-faceted approach is required to tackle these issues, combining stringent platform policies, AI-driven moderation, and collaborative fact-checking initiatives. User empowerment concerning media literacy is an important factor in promoting critical thinking and building cognitive defences. By adopting these measures, we can better navigate the complexities of consuming news from social media newsgroups and preserve the reliability of online information. Furthermore, users need to consume news from authoritative sources available on social media platforms.
References
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transcended its role as a futuristic tool; it is already an integral part of the decision-making process in various sectors, including governance, the medical field, education, security, and the economy, worldwide. On the one hand, there are concerns about the nature of AI, its advantages and disadvantages, and the risks it may pose to the world. There are also doubts about the technology’s capacity to provide effective solutions, especially when threats such as misinformation, cybercrime, and deepfakes are becoming more common.
Recently, global leaders have reiterated that the use of AI should continue to be human-centric, transparent, and governed responsibly. The issue of offering unbridled access to innovators, while also preventing harm, is a dilemma that must be resolved.
AI as a Global Public Good
In earlier times only the most influential states and large corporations controlled the supply and use of advanced technologies, and they guarded them as national strategic assets. In contrast, AI has emerged as a digital innovation that exists and evolves within a deeply interconnected environment, which makes access far more distributed than before. Usage of AI in a specific country will not only bring its pros and cons to that particular place, but the rest of the world as well. For instance, deepfake scams and biased algorithms will not only affect the people in the country where they are created but also in all other countries where such people might be doing business or communicating.
The Growing Threat of AI Misuse
- Deepfakes, Crime, and Digital Terrorism
The application of artificial intelligence in the wrong way is quickly becoming one of the main security problems. Deepfake technology is being used to carry out electoral misinformation spread, communicate lies, and create false narratives. Cybercriminals are now making use of AI to make phishing attacks faster and more efficient, hack into security systems, and come up with elaborate social engineering tactics. In the case of extremist groups, AI has the power to give a better quality of propaganda, recruitment, and coordination.
- Solution - Human Oversight and Safety-by-Design
To overcome these dangers, a global AI system must be developed based on the principles of safety-by-design. This means incorporating moral safeguards right from the development phase rather than reacting after the damage is done. Moreover, human control is just as vital. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems that influence public confidence, security, or human rights should always be under the control of human decision-makers. Automated decision-making where there is no openness or the possibility of auditing could lead to black-box systems being developed, where the assignment of responsibility is unclear.
Three Pillars of a Responsible AI Framework
- Equitable Access to AI Technologies
One of the major hindrances to global AI development is the non-uniformity of access. The provision of high-end computing capability, data infrastructure, and AI research resources is still highly localised in some areas. A sustainable framework needs to be set up so that smaller countries, rural areas, and people speaking different languages will also be able to share the benefits of AI. The distribution of access fairly will be a gradual process, but at the same time, it will lead to the creation of new ideas and improvements in the different places where the local markets are. Thus, there would be no digital divide, and the AI future would not be exclusively determined by the wealthy economies. - Population-Level Skilling and Talent Readiness
AI will have an impact on worldwide working areas. Thus, societies must not only equip their people with the existing job skills but also with the future technology-based skills. Massive AI literacy programs, digital competencies enhancement, and cross-disciplinary education are very important. Forecasting human resources for roles in AI governance, data ethics, cyber security, and modern technologies will help prevent large scale displacement while also promoting growth that is genuinely inclusive. - Responsible and Human-Centric Deployment
Adoption of Responsible AI makes sure that technology is used for social good and not just for making profits. The human-centred AI directs its applications to the sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, disaster management, and public services, especially the underserved regions in the world that are most in need of these innovations. This strategy guarantees that progress in technology will improve human life instead of making the situation worse for the poor or taking away the responsibility from humans.
Need for a Global AI Governance Framework
- Why International Cooperation Matters
AI governance cannot be fragmented. Different national regulations lead to the creation of loopholes that allow bad actors to operate in different countries. Hence, global coordination and harmonisation of safety frameworks is of utmost importance. A single AI governance framework should stipulate:
- Clear responsible prohibition on AI misuse in terrorism, deepfakes, and cybercrime .
- Transparency and algorithm audits as a compulsory requirement.
- Independent global oversight bodies.
- Ethical codes of conduct in harmony with humanitarian laws.
Framework like this makes it clear that AI will be shaped by common values rather than being subject to the influence of different interest groups.
- Talent Mobility and Open Innovation
If AI is to be universally accepted, then global mobility of talent must be made easier. The flow of innovation takes place when the interaction between researchers, engineers, and policymakers is not limited by borders.
- AI, Equity, and Global Development
The rapid concentration of technology in a few hands poses the risk of widening the gap in equality among countries. Most developing countries are facing the problems of poor infrastructure, lack of education and digital resources. By regarding them only as technology markets and not as partners in innovation, they become even more isolated from the mainstream of development. An AI development mix of human-centred and technology-driven must consider that the global stillness is broken only by the inclusion of the participation of the whole world. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has already demonstrated how technology can be a major factor in the building of healthcare and crisis resilience. As a matter of fact, when fairly used, AI has a significant role to play in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Conclusion
AI is located at a crucial junction. It can either enhance human progress or increase the digital risks. Making sure that AI is a global good goes beyond mere sophisticated technology; it requires moral leadership, inclusion in governance, and collaboration between countries. Preventing misuse by means of openness, supervision by humans, and policies that are responsible will be vital in keeping public trust. Properly guided, AI can make society more resilient, speed up development, and empower future generations. The future we choose is determined by how responsibly we act today.
As PM Modi stated ‘AI should serve as a global good, and at the same time nations must stay vigilant against its misuse’. CyberPeace reinforces this vision by advocating responsible innovation and a secure digital future for all.
References
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ai-a-global-good-but-must-guard-against-misuse-pm-101763922179359.html
- https://www.deccanherald.com/india/g20-summit-pm-modi-goes-against-donald-trumps-stand-seeks-global-governance-for-ai-3807928
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/need-global-compact-to-prevent-ai-misuse-pm-modi/articleshow/125525379.cms
Introduction
In today's era of digitalised community and connections, social media has become an integral part of our lives. we use social media to connect with our friends and family, and social media is also used for business purposes. Social media offers us numerous opportunities and ease to connect and communicate with larger communities. While it also poses some challenges, while we use social media, we come across issues such as inappropriate content, online harassment, online stalking, account hacking, misuse of personal information or data, privacy issues, fake accounts, Intellectual property violation issues, abusive and dishearted content, content against the terms and condition policy of the platform and more. To deal with such issues, social media entities have proper reporting mechanisms and set terms and conditions guidelines to effectively prevent such issues and by addressing them in the best possible way by platform help centre or reporting mechanism.
The Role of Help Centers in Resolving User Complaints:
The help centres are established on platforms to address user complaints and provide satisfactory assistance or resolution. Addressing user complaints is a key component of maintaining a safe and secure digital environment for users. Platform-centric help centres play a vital role in providing users with a resource to seek assistance and report their issues.
Some common issues reported on social media:
- Reporting abusive content: Users can report content that they find abusive, offensive, or in violation of platform policies. These reports are reviewed by the help centre.
- Reporting CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material): CSAM content can be reported to platform help centre. Social media platforms have stringent policies in place to address such concerns and ensure a safe digital environment for everyone, including children.
- Reporting Misinformation or Fake News: With the proliferation of misinformation online, users can report content that they find or suspect misleading or false information and Fact-checking bodies are employed to assess the accuracy of reported content.
- Content violating intellectual property rights: If there is a violation or infringement of any intellectual property work, it can be reported on the platform.
- Violence of commercial policies: Products listed on social media platforms are also needed to comply with the platform’s Commercial Policies.
Submitting a Complaint to the Indian Grievance Officer for Facebook:
A user can report his issue through the below-mentioned websites:
The user can go to the Facebook Help Center, where go to the "Reporting a Problem” section, then by clicking on Reporting a Problem, Choose the Appropriate Issue that best describes your complaint. For example, if you have encountered inappropriate or abusive content, select the ‘I found inappropriate or abusive content’ option.
Here is a list of issues which you can report on Facebook:
- My account has been hacked.
- I've lost access to a page or a group I used to manage.
- I've found a fake profile or a profile that's pretending to be me.
- I am being bullied or harassed.
- I found inappropriate or abusive content.
- I want to report content showing me in nudity/partial nudity or in a sexual act.
- I (or someone I am legally responsible for) appear in content that I do not want to be displayed.
- I am a law enforcement official seeking to access user data.
- I am a government official or a court officer seeking to submit an order, notice or direction.
- I want to download my personal data or report an issue with how Facebook is processing my data.
- I want to report an Intellectual Property infringement.
- I want to report another issue.
Then, describe your issues and attach supporting evidence such as screenshots, then submit your report. After submitting a report, you will receive a confirmation that your report has been submitted to the platform. The platform will review the complaint within the stipulated time period, and users can also check the status of their filed complaint. Appropriate action will be taken by platforms after reviewing such complaints. If it violates any standard policy, terms & conditions, or privacy policies of the platform, the platform will take down that content or will take any other appropriate action.
Conclusion:
It is important to be aware of your rights in a digital landscape and report such issues to the platform. It is essential to understand how to report your issues or grievances on social media platforms effectively. By using the help centre or reporting mechanism of the platform, users can effectively file their complaints on the platform and contribute to a safer and more responsible online environment. Social media platforms have their compliance framework and privacy and policy guidelines in place to ensure the compliance framework for community standards and legal requirements. So, whenever you encounter an issue on social media, report it on the platform and contribute to a safer digital environment on social media platforms.
References:
- https://www.cyberyodha.org/2023/09/how-to-submit-complaint-to-indian.html
- https://transparency.fb.com/en-gb/enforcement/taking-action/complaints-handling-process/
- https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/278770247037228
- https://www.facebook.com/help/263149623790594
