#FactCheck-AI-Manipulated Video Falsely Attributes Statement on Operation Sindoor to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri

Introduction

Intricate and winding are the passageways of the modern digital age, a place where the reverberations of truth effortlessly blend, yet hauntingly contrast, with the echoes of falsehood. Within this complex realm, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has illuminated the darkened corners with its powerful spotlight, revealing the festering, insidious network of misinformation and disinformation that snakes through the virtual and physical worlds alike. Gravely identified by the “WEF's Global Risks Report 2024” as the most formidable and immediate threats to our collective well-being, this malignant duo—misinformation and disinformation. 

The report published with the solemn tone suitable for the prelude to such a grand international gathering as the Annual Summit in Davos, the report presents a vivid tableau of our shared global landscape—one that is dominated by the treacherous pitfalls of deceits and unverified claims. These perils, if unrecognised and unchecked by societal checks and balances, possess the force to rip apart the intricate tapestry of our liberal institutions, shaking the pillars of democracies and endangering the vulnerable fabric of social cohesion.

Election Mania 

As we find ourselves perched on the edge of a future, one where the voices of nearly three billion human beings make their mark on the annals of history—within the varied electoral processes of nations such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, the spectre of misinformation can potentially corrode the integrity of the governing entities that will emerge from these democratic processes. The warning issued by the WEF is unambiguous: we are flirting with the possibility of disorder and turmoil, where the unchecked dispersion of fabrications and lies could kindle flames of unrest, manifesting in violent protests, hate-driven crimes, civil unrest, and the scourge of terrorism.

Derived from the collective wisdom of over 1,400 experts in global risk, esteemed policymakers, and industry leaders, the report crafts a sobering depiction of our world's journey. It paints an ominous future that increasingly endows governments with formidable power—to brandish the weapon of censorship, to unilaterally declare what is deemed 'true' and what ought to be obscured or eliminated in the virtual world of sharing information. This trend signals a looming potential for wider and more comprehensive repression, hindering the freedoms traditionally associated with the Internet, journalism, and unhindered access to a panoply of information sources—vital fora for the exchange of ideas and knowledge in a myriad of countries across the globe.

Prominence of AI 

When the gaze of the report extends further over a decade-long horizon, the prominence of environmental challenges such as the erosion of biodiversity and alarming shifts in the Earth's life-support systems ascend to the pinnacle of concern. Yet, trailing closely, the digital risks continue to pulsate—perpetuated by the distortions of misinformation, the echoing falsities of disinformation, and the unpredictable repercussions stemming from the utilization and, at times, the malevolent deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). These ethereal digital entities, far from being illusory shades, are the precursors of a disintegrating world order, a stage on which regional powers move to assert and maintain their influence, instituting their own unique standards and norms.

The prophecies set forth by the WEF should not be dismissed as mere academic conjecture; they are instead a trumpet's urgent call to mobilize. With a startling 30 percent of surveyed global experts bracing for the prospect of international calamities within the mere span of the coming two years, and an even more significant portion—nearly two-thirds—envisaging such crises within the forthcoming decade, it is unmistakable that the time to confront and tackle these looming risks is now. The clarion is sounding, and the message is clear: inaction is no longer an available luxury.

Maldives and India Row

To pluck precise examples from the boundless field of misinformation, we might observe the Lakshadweep-Malé incident wherein an ordinary boat accident off the coast of Kerala was grotesquely transformed into a vessel for the far-reaching tendrils of fabricated narratives, erroneously implicating Lakshadweep in the spectacle. Similarly, the tension-laden India-Maldives diplomatic exchange becomes a harrowing testament to how strained international relations may become fertile ground for the rampant spread of misleading content. The suspension of Maldivian deputy ministers following offensive remarks, the immediate tumult that followed on social media, and the explosive proliferation of counterfeit news targeting both nations paint a stark and intricate picture of how intertwined are the threads of politics, the digital platforms of social media, and the virulent propagation of falsehoods.

Yet, these are mere fragments within the extensive and elaborate weave of misinformation that threatens to enmesh our globe. As we venture forth into this dangerous and murky topography, it becomes our collective responsibility to maintain a sense of heightened vigilance, to consistently question and verify the sources and content of the information that assails us from all directions, and to cultivate an enduring culture anchored in critical thinking and discernment. The stakes are colossal—for it is not merely truth itself that we defend, but rather the underlying tenets of our societies and the sanctity of our cherished democratic institutions.

Conclusion 

In this fraught era, marked indelibly by uncertainty and perched precariously on the cusp of numerous pivotal electoral ventures, let us refuse the role of passive bystanders to unraveling our collective reality. We must embrace our role as active participants in the relentless pursuit of truth, fortified with the stark awareness that our entwined futures rest precariously on our willingness and ability to distinguish the veritable from the spurious within the perilous lattice of falsehoods of misinformation. We must continually remind ourselves that, in the quest for a stable and just global order, the unerring discernment of fact from fiction becomes not only an act of intellectual integrity but a deed of civic and moral imperative.

References 

• https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/election-fuelled-misinformation-is-serious-global-risk-in-2024-says-wef/articleshow/106727033.cms
• https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/100124/misinformation-tops-global-risks-2024.html
• https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/fact-check-in-lakshadweep-male-row-kerala-boat-accident-becomes-vessel-for-fake-news/ar-AA1mOJqY
• https://www.boomlive.in/news/india-maldives-muizzu-pm-modi-lakshadweep-fact-check-24085
• https://www.weforum.org/press/2024/01/global-risks-report-2024-press-release/

Executive Summary:

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Amid the ongoing conflict involving the US-Israel and Iran, Tehran has claimed that it shot down a US F-35 fighter jet. In this context, a video is going viral on social media showing a crashed American fighter aircraft on the ground. It is being claimed that the footage shows Iran downing a US F-35 jet. However, an research  by the CyberPeace found that the viral video is a deepfake and not real. The clip appears to have been created using Google AI tools.

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Claim:

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A social media user “Azania” shared the viral video on March 20, 2026, with the caption,“#Iran hit the 5th generation F-35 fighter of the #US Air Force… An American F-35 fighter made an emergency landing at an air base in the Middle East after coming under Iranian fire, sources told CNN.”

• https://x.com/azania1023/status/2034720472248484330?s=20
• https://perma.cc/2TG9-8UXT 

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Fact Check:

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We began our research  with a news search and found multiple reports stating that a US F-35 fighter jet was damaged during a combat mission over Iran. According to reports, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have damaged a US F-35 jet and also released a video. As per a CNN report, US officials confirmed that an American F-35 was damaged during a mission over Iran, forcing it to make an emergency landing at a US airbase in the Middle East. The pilot was safe and in stable condition, and the incident is currently under research .

A spokesperson for the US Central Command, Captain Tim Hawkins, also acknowledged that an F-35 made an emergency landing during the mission. However, the US has not officially confirmed that the damage was caused by an Iranian attack.Reports by Fox News and The Times of India also mention the emergency landing of the aircraft.

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/international/worlds-first-hit-iran-claims-strike-on-us-f-35-lightning-2-why-its-a-big-deal/articleshow/129692213.cms

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Upon closely examining the viral video, we noticed several inconsistencies indicating possible AI manipulation. We then analyzed the clip using Hive Moderation, which indicated nearly a 79 percent probability that the video is AI-generated. The analysis also suggests that it was likely created using Google’s AI video generation tools (Veo).

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Conclusion:

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The viral video claiming to show Iran shooting down a US F-35 fighter jet is AI-generated and not real. While Iran has claimed to have targeted a US F-35, and the US has confirmed an emergency landing during a mission, there is no official confirmation that the aircraft was shot down by Iran.

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Introduction 

Public infrastructure has traditionally served as the framework for civilisation, transporting people, money, and ideas across time and space, from the iron veins of transcontinental railroads to the unseen arteries of the internet. In democracies where free markets and public infrastructure co-exist, this framework has not only facilitated but also accelerated progress. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which powers inclusiveness, fosters innovation, and changes citizens from passive recipients to active participants in the digital age, is emerging as the new civic backbone as we move away from highways and towards high-speed data. 

DPI makes it possible for innovation at the margins and for inclusion at scale by providing open-source, interoperable platforms for identities, payments, and data exchange. Examples of how the Global South is evolving from a passive consumer of technology to a creator of globally replicable governance models are India’s Aadhaar (digital identification), UPI (real-time payments), and DigiLocker (data empowerment). As the ‘digital commons’ emerges, DPI does more than simply link users; it also empowers citizens, eliminates inefficiencies from the past, and reimagines the creation and distribution of public value in the digital era. 

Securing the Digital Infrastructure: A Contemporary Imperative

As humans, we are already the inhabitants of the future, we stand at the temporal threshold for reform. Digital Infrastructure is no longer just a public good. It’s now a strategic asset, akin to oil pipelines in the 20th century. India is recognised globally for the introduction of “India Stack”, through which the face of digital payments has also been changed. The economic value contributed by DPIs to India’s GDP is predicted to reach 2.9-4.2 percent by 2030, having already reached 0.9% in 2022. Its role in India’s economic development is partly responsible for its success; among emerging market economies, it helped propel India to the top of the revenue administrations’ digitalisation index. The other portion has to do with how India’s social service delivery has changed across the board. By enabling digital and financial inclusion, it has increased access to education (DIKSHA) and is presently being developed to offer agricultural (VISTAAR) and digital health (ABDM) services. 

Securing the Foundations: Emerging Threats to Digital Public Infrastructure

The rising prominence of DPI is not without its risks, as adversarial forces are developing with comparable sophistication. The core underpinnings of public digital systems are the target of a new generation of cyber threats, ranging from hostile state actors to cybercriminal syndicates. The threats pose a great risk to the consistent development endeavours of the government. To elucidate, targeted attacks on Biometric databases, AI-based Misinformation and Psychological Warfare, Payment System Hacks, State-sponsored malware, cross-border phishing campaigns, surveillance spyware and Sovereign Malware are modern-day examples of cyber threats. 

To secure DPI, a radical rethink beyond encryption methods and perimeter firewalls is needed. It requires an understanding of cybersecurity that is systemic, ethical, and geopolitical. Democracy, inclusivity, and national integrity are all at risk from DPI. To preserve the confidence and promise of digital public infrastructure, policy frameworks must change from fragmented responses to coordinated, proactive and people-centred cyber defence policies.

CyberPeace Recommendations

Powering Progress, Ignoring Protection: A Precarious Path

The Indian government is aware that cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated in the nation. To address the nation’s cybersecurity issues, the government has implemented a number of legislative, technical, and administrative policy initiatives. While the initiatives are commendable, there are a few Non-Negotiables that need to be in place for effective protection: 

• DPIs must be declared Critical Information Infrastructure. In accordance with the IT Act, 2000, the DPI (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, Account Aggregator, CoWIN, and ONDC) must be designated as Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) and be supervised by the NCIIPC, just like the banking, energy, and telecom industries. Give NCIIPC the authority to publish required security guidelines, carry out audits, and enforce adherence to the DPI stack, including incident response protocols tailored to each DPI. 
• To solidify security, data sovereignty, and cyber responsibility, India should spearhead global efforts to create a Global DPI  Cyber Compact through the “One Future Alliance” and the G20. To ensure interoperable cybersecurity frameworks for international DPI projects, promote open standards, cross-border collaboration on threat intelligence, and uniform incident reporting guidelines. 
• Establish a DPI Threat Index to monitor vulnerabilities, including phishing attacks, efforts at biometric breaches, sovereign malware footprints, spikes in AI misinformation, and patterns in payment fraud. Create daily or weekly risk dashboards by integrating data from state CERTs, RBI, UIDAI, CERT-In, and NPCI. Use machine learning (ML) driven detection systems. 
• Make explainability audits necessary for AI/ML systems used throughout DPI to make sure that the decision-making process is open, impartial, and subject to scrutiny (e.g., welfare algorithms, credit scoring). Use the recently established IndiaAI Safety Institute in line with India’s AI mission to conduct AI audits, establish explanatory standards, and create sector-specific compliance guidelines. 

References

• https://orfamerica.org/newresearch/dpi-catalyst-private-sector-innovation?utm_source=chatgpt.com 
• https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/expressions/indias-digital-public-infrastructure-success-story-world 
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2116341 
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2033389 
• https://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/dpi-must-ensure-data-privacy-cyber-security-citizenfirst-approach 

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