#FactCheck - Viral Videos of Mutated Animals Debunked as AI-Generated

Introduction

Google is committed to supporting the upcoming elections in India by providing high-quality information to voters, safeguarding platforms from abuse, and helping people navigate AI-generated content. Google will connect voters to helpful information through enhanced features, collaborating with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide voting information in both English and Hindi. Emphasis is also placed on showcasing authoritative information on YouTube. YouTube will highlight authoritative news sources and offer context on topics prone to misinformation. YouTube also appends information panels directing viewers to the Election Commission of India's FAQs. This support will help millions of eligible voters navigate the electoral process and ensure a fair and transparent election process.

Key Highlights of Google’s Approach

The step taken by Google will support the democratic process during the upcoming General Election in India. The initiative focuses on three main pillars: disseminating information, tackling misinformation, and navigating AI-generated content.  Google is enhancing its Search and YouTube features to provide essential election-related information, including voter registration, polling guidelines, and candidate profiles. Google is also addressing the challenges posed by AI-generated content by offering clarity on content origins, particularly for election-related ads and YouTube videos. Google has strict policies and restrictions regarding who can run election-related advertising on its platforms, including identity verification, pre-certificates, and in-ad disclosures. Additionally, Google is utilising tools and policies like Ads disclosures, content labels on YouTube, and digital watermarking to help users to identify AI-generated content.

Google has joined hands with ECI

The tech giant Google is partnering with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide voting information on Google Search in both English and Hindi. YouTube will feature election information panels, including candidate profiles and registration guidelines, ensuring users have access to authoritative sources. Google's recommendation system will display content from trusted publishers on election-related topics. Protecting the integrity of elections is a top priority, and the company is employing advanced AI models and machine learning techniques to identify and remove content that violates its policies at scale. A dedicated team of local experts across major Indian languages is assigned to provide relevant context and ensure swift action against emerging threats. Google is also tightening up who can advertise on its platforms, requiring advertisers to undergo an identity verification process and obtain a pre-certificate from the ECI or authorised entities for each election ad they wish to run.

Tackling Electoral Misinformation

Google is enhancing its platform security measures to prevent misinformation. It is using AI models and human expertise to identify and address policy violations, while stringent verification processes and disclosures are being implemented to maintain user trust.

Collaborations to promote reliable information

Google is supporting the Shakti, India Election Fact-Checking Collective, a consortium of news publishers and fact checkers to detect online misinformation, including deepfakes. The project will provide news entities and fact checkers with essential training in fact-checking methodologies, deepfake detection, and the latest Google tools to streamline verification processes, as stated in Google’s blog post.

Conclusion

Google has taken proactive steps to ensure a secure electoral process during the upcoming general elections in India. These include preventing the misuse of false information by helping voters navigate AI-generated content and safeguarding its platforms from abuse. Google India has built faster and more adaptable enforcement systems with recent advances in its Large Language Models (LLMs), enabling the company to remain nimble and take action quickly when new threats emerge. Google is dedicated to collaborating with government, industry, and civil society to provide voters with reliable and trustworthy online information. Google is implementing a comprehensive strategy to empower voters, safeguard its platforms, and combat misinformation in India's upcoming general elections. Google’s step is commendable and aims to ensure a secure electoral process, empowering millions of citizens to exercise their democratic rights.

References:

• https://blog.google/intl/en-in/company-news/outreach-initiatives/supporting-the-2024-indian-general-election/
• https://inc42.com/buzz/following-gemini-row-google-strengthens-checks-on-ai-generated-content-before-elections/#:~:text=In%20an%20effort%20to%20ensure,safeguarding%20its%20platforms%20from%20abuse
• https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news/google-introduces-enhanced-tools-for-supporting-elections-in-india-2024-03-12-921096
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/google-ties-up-with-eci-to-prevent-spread-of-false-information/articleshow/108431021.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/google-joins-hands-with-election-commission-of-india-to-help-voters-via-search-youtube-421112-2024-03-12
• https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/google-2024-general-elections-support-9209588/

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What are Wi-Fi attacks?

Wi-fi is an important area of cyber security and there is no need for physical cable for the network. Wi-Fi has access to a network signal radius everywhere. The devices and systems can have a network without physical access due to Wi-fi. But everything comes with cons and pros, and if we talk about cybersecurity, it has been established that Wi-fi networks are extremely vulnerable to security breaches and it is very easy to be hacked by hackers. Wi-Fi can be accessed by almost every device in the modern day: it can be smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops. To know whether someone has been tampering with your personal Wi-Fi there are certain signs that can prove it. The first and most important sign is that your internet speed gets slower, as someone else is using your Wi-Fi surf.

Why would anyone hack someone’s Wi-Fi network?

Usually, hackers hack the network because they want access to the confidential data of someone and they can observe all the online activities and data that have been sent through a network. An unauthorize hacker will pretty much be able to see everything you do online. Wi-Fi allows hackers o view information on sites. Any financial information which is saved in the browser can be accessed by hackers and they can alter it and can alter the content you see online. And all the information saved in Wi-fi networks can be used by hackers for their own benefit, they can sell it, impersonate you, or even take money out of your bank through Wi-Fi.

Avoiding vulnerable Wi-Fi networks

The first and foremost rule of protection is that you should not use public networks if that network is easily open to you then that is also available to others and from others, and someone can who wishes to use your confidential and sensitive information, can access that.  If you really need to access the public network in an urgent situation, then you must make sure to limit your activities while connected. And avoid accessing your online banking or pages that require login information. Also, a good measure to take as well is to always delete your cookies after using public WIFI.

How To Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network

Your home’s wireless internet connection is your Wi-Fi network. Typically, a wireless router is used, which broadcasts a signal into the atmosphere. You can connect to the internet using that signal. However, if your network is not password-protected, any nearby device can grab the signal off the air and connect to your internet. The benefit of Wi-Fi? Wireless access to the internet is possible. The negative? Your internet activity, including your personal information, may be visible to neighboring users who connect to your unprotected network. Furthermore, if someone uses your network to conduct a crime or send out unauthorized spam, you might be held accountable.

Wi-Fi or Li-Fi? –

The common consensus is that Li-Fi technology is more secure than Wi-Fi. Li-Fi systems can be made more secure by integrating a variety of security features. Although these qualities might appear when Li-Fi is widely used in the near future, it is already thought to be safer because of a number of security features. Since the connection’s characteristics make it simpler to lock connections, limit access, and track users even in the absence of encryption and other security features, Li-Fi is seen as being safer. Li-Fi systems will be able to support new security protocols, which will not only enable high-speed networking but also open the door for innovative security techniques to strengthen connections.

Conclusion

A hacker can sniff the network packets without having to be in the same building where the network is located. As wireless networks communicate through radio waves, a hacker can easily sniff the network from a nearby location. Most attackers use network sniffing to find the SSID and hack a wireless network.

Any wireless network can theoretically be attacked in a number of different ways. Use of the default SSID or password, WPS pin authentication, insufficient access control, and leaving the access point available in open locations are all examples of potential vulnerabilities that could allow for the theft of sensitive data. Kismet’s architecture in WIDS mode may guard against DOS, MiTM, and MAC spoofing attacks. routine software updates on the other hand, the use of firewalls may help defend the network against outside intrusion. The act of finding infrastructure issues that could allow harmful code to be injected into a service, system, or organization is known as ethical hacking. They use this technique to prevent invasions by lawfully breaking into networks and looking for weak spots.

Introduction

Whatsapp is one of the leading OTT messaging platforms, which has been owned by the tech giant Meta since 2013. WhatsApp enjoys a user base of nearly 2.24 billion people globally, with almost 487 million users in India. Since the advent of Whatsapp, it has been the most commonly used messaging app, and it has made an impact to such an extent that it is used for professional as well as personal purposes. Meta powers the platform and follows similar guidelines and policies as its parent company.

The New Feature

Users of WhatsApp on the web and desktop can now access one account from various devices. One WhatsApp account may now be used on up to four handsets thanks to a new update from Meta. Be aware that the multi-device capability has been planned for some time and is finally being made available to stable WhatsApp users. Each linked device (up to four devices can be linked) will function independently, and the independent devices will continue to receive messages even if the central device’s network connection is lost. Remember that WhatsApp will automatically log out of all the companion devices if the primary smartphone is dormant for an extended period. Four more gadgets may be a mix of four PCs and smartphones or four smartphones. This feature is now available for updates and downloads on Android as well as iOS platforms.

Potential issues

As we go deeper into the digital age, it is the responsibility of the tech giants to pilot innovation with features of security by design. Thus such new features should be accompanied by coherent safety and security policies or advisories to ensure the users understand the implications of the new features. Convenience over conditions is an essential part of cyberspace. It points to the civic duty of netizens to go through the conditions of any app rather than only focus on the convenience it creates. The following potential issues may arise from the new features on Whatsapp –

• Increased cybercrime- The bad actors now do not need to access SIM cards to commit frauds over the platforms as now on a single number 4 devices can be used hence the cybercriminal activity can increase over the platform. It is also pertinent for the platform to create SoPs for fake accounts which use multiple devices, as they pose a direct threat to the users and their interests.
• Difficulty in identifying and tracing- The LEAs will face a significant issue in identifying the bad actors and tracing them as the individual’s involvement through a linked device needs to be given legal validity and scope for investigation. This may also cause issues in evidence handling and analysis.
• Surge in Misinformation and Disinformation- With access to multiple devices, the screen time of an individual is also bound to increase. This leads to more time spent online, thus causing a rise in instances of misinformation and disinformation by bad actors. Thus the aspect of fack checking is of prime importance.
• Potential Oversharing of Personal Data- With the increased accessibility on different devices, it is very easy for the app to seek data from all devices on which the app is running, thus leading to a bigger reservoir of personal data for the platforms and data fiduciaries.
• Higher risk of Phishing, Ransomware and Malware Attacks- As the devices under the same login credentials and mobile number will increase, the message can be viewed on all the devices, thus increasing the risk of widespread embedded ransomware and malware in multiple devices is and ever-present threat.
• One number, more criminals- This feature will allow cybercriminals to operate using one device only, earlier they used to forge Adhaar cards to get new sims, but this feature will enable the bad actors to commit crimes and attacks from one single SIM using 4 different devices.
• Rise in Digital Footprint- As the number of devices increases, the users will generate more digital footprints. As a tech giant, Meta will have access to a bigger database, which increases the risk of data breaches by third-party actors.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced digital world, it is important to remain updated about new software, technologies and policies for our applications or forms of tech. This was a long-awaited feature from WhatsApp, and its value of it doesn’t lie in technological advancement only but also in the formulation of policies to govern this technology towards the trust and safety aspect of users. The platforms, in synergy with the policy makers, need to create a robust framework to accommodate the new features and add-ons on apps vehicle, staying in compliance with the laws of the land. Awareness about new features and vulnerabilities is a must for all netizens, and it is a shared responsibility for all netizens to spread the word about safety and security mechanisms.