#FactCheck-PM Narendra Modi’s Viral Statement Linking His Father to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is Fake

Introduction

Words come easily, but not necessarily the consequences that follow. Imagine a 15-year-old child on the internet hoping that the world will be nice to him and help him gain confidence, but instead, someone chooses to be mean on the internet, or the child becomes the victim of a new kind of cyberbullying, i.e., online trolling. The consequences of trolling can have serious repercussions, including eating disorders, substance abuse, conduct issues, body dysmorphia, negative self-esteem, and, in tragic cases, self-harm and suicide attempts in vulnerable individuals. The effects of online trolling can include anxiety, depression, and social isolation. This is one example, and hate speech and online abuse can touch anyone, regardless of age, background, or status. The damage may take different forms, but its impact is far-reaching. In today’s digital age, hate speech spreads rapidly through online platforms, often amplified by AI algorithms. 

As we celebrate today, i.e., 18th June, the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, if we have ever been mean to someone on the internet, we pledge never to repeat that kind of behaviour, and if we have been the victim, we will stand against the perpetrator and report it. 

This year, the theme for the International Day for Countering Hate Speech is “Hate Speech and Artificial Intelligence Nexus: Building coalitions to reclaim inclusive and secure environments free of hatred. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his statement, said, “Today, as this year’s theme reminds us, hate speech travels faster and farther than ever, amplified by Artificial Intelligence. Biased algorithms and digital platforms are spreading toxic content and creating new spaces for harassment and abuse."

Coded Convictions: How AI Reflects and Reinforces Ideologies

Algorithms have swiftly taken the place of feelings; they tamper with your taste, and they do so with a lighter foot, invisibly. They are becoming an important component of social media user interaction and content distribution. While these tools are designed to improve user experience, they frequently inadvertently spread divisive ideologies and push extremist propaganda. This amplification can strengthen the power of extremist organisations, spread misinformation, and deepen societal tensions. This phenomenon, known as “algorithmic radicalisation,” demonstrates how social media companies may utilise a discriminating content selection approach to entice people down ideological rabbit holes and shape their ideas. AI-driven algorithms often prioritise engagement over ethics, enabling divisive and toxic content to trend and placing vulnerable groups, especially youth and minorities, at risk. The UN’s Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, launched on June 18, 2019, recognises that while AI holds promise for early detection and prevention of harmful speech, it also demands stringent human rights safeguards. Without regulation, these tools can themselves become purveyors of bias and exclusion. 

India’s Constitutional Resolve and Civilizational Ethos against Hate

India has always taken pride in being inclusive and united rather than divided. As far as hate speech is concerned, India's stand is no different. The United Nations, India believes in the same values as its international counterpart. Although India has won many battles against hate speech, the war is not over and is now more prominent than ever due to the advancement in communication technologies. In India, while the right to freedom of speech and expression is protected under Article 19(1)(a), its exercise is limited subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). Landmark rulings such as Ramji Lal Modi v. State of U.P. and Amish Devgan v. UOI have clarified that speech can be curbed if it incites violence or undermines public order. Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, empowers the government to block content, and these principles are also reflected in Section 196 of the BNS, 2023 (153A IPC) and Section 299 of the BNS, 2023 (295A IPC). Platforms are also required to track down the creators of harmful content and remove it within a reasonable hour and fulfil their due diligence requirements under IT rules.

While there is no denying that India needs to be well-equipped and prepared normatively to tackle hate propaganda and divisive forces. India’s rich culture and history, rooted in philosophies of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) and pluralistic traditions, have long stood as a beacon of tolerance and coexistence. By revisiting these civilizational values, we can resist divisive forces and renew our collective journey toward harmony and peaceful living.

CyberPeace Message

The ultimate goal is to create internet and social media platforms that are better, safer and more harmonious for each individual, irrespective of his/her/their social and cultural background. CyberPeace stands resolute on promoting digital media literacy, cyber resilience, and consistently pushing for greater accountability for social media platforms. 

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References

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• https://www.un.org/en/observances/countering-hate-speech 
• https://www.artemishospitals.com/blog/the-impact-of-trolling-on-teen-mental-health 
• https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/from-clicks-to-chaos-how-social-media-algorithms-amplify-extremism ‍
• https://www.techpolicy.press/indias-courts-must-hold-social-media-platforms-accountable-for-hate-speech/

Introduction

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) ‘Cyber Crime In India Report 2022’, A total of 65,893 cases were registered under Cyber Crimes, showing an increase of 24.4% in registration in comparison to 52,974 cases registered in 2021. The crime rate increased from 3.9 in 2021 to 4.8 in 2022. During 2022, 64.8% of cyber-crime cases registered were for the motive of fraud (42,710 out of 65,893 cases), followed by Extortion with 5.5% (3,648 cases) and Sexual Exploitation with 5.2% (3,434 cases). The statistics released by NCRB show the increased rate of cyber crimes in the country, which poses a significant question of safety in the online world. The rise in cybercrime indicates a rise in emerging criminal groups with malicious intentions, creating new cybercrime hotspots in the country where these groups target and commit cyber crimes despite limited resources.

Cyber Crime Hotspots

Police have recently arrested several cyber criminals in a specific region, indicating that certain areas have become hotspots for cybercrime. Mewat region is one such hotspot indicating a growing trend of cybercrime operating from this area. The Mewat gang's modus operandi is quite different; Cybercriminals in Mewat scam mobile owners just using smartphones and SIM cards without kingpins and targeting mobile owners. The scammers also lure people through online marketplaces such as OLX, in which they pretend to sell possessions and then either physically lure victims to pick-up locations or scam them virtually. 

A study conducted by Future Crime Research Foundation and IIT Kanpur in 2023 has revealed that Jamatara city, once considered the cyber crime capital of India, is no longer the epicentre. The study found that 35 hotspots in India are actively involved in cybercrime activities. The top 10 cybercrime hotspots in India collectively account for 80% of cybercrime-related cases in India. These districts are strategically located near India's capital or closer to the National Capital Region (NCR). These districts are strategically placed with multiple borders, making them easy targets for criminals.  

Online financial fraud and social media-related crimes are the most common in India. Cybercriminals exploit data as a gold mine, using it to commit crimes. For instance, they can obtain banking and insurance data, use simple AI tools to cheat victims, and they can easily impersonate identities to lure innocent people. In cybercrime hotspots, sextortion is a modern way for cybercriminals to record and demand money. Loan app fraud, OLX fraud, and job fraud also originate from these specific regions.

Recommendations 

To counter the challenges posed by emerging cybercrime hubs, the following recommendations are to be considered: 

• Advanced threat Intelligence: The digital landscape is evolving, and the threat landscape is becoming more complex. AI's role in cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical, both positively and negatively, as it helps in understanding and addressing advanced threats. AI is capable of proactive threat hunting, real-time anomaly detection, and swift incident response.
• Enhancing capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies: Law enforcement agencies must be sensitised to advanced tools or techniques to investigate cyber crime cases effectively. The development and implementation of advanced forensic tools and technologies need to be utilised or implemented to keep up with the evolving tactics of cybercrime perpetrators. 
• Continuous Monitoring: Continuous cybersecurity monitoring is crucial for detecting anomalies and preventing cyber-attacks. It involves analysing systems and data to establish baseline security, identify deviations, and investigate potential threats. Cybersecurity experts use data observability tools, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to detect unexpected dataset changes.
• Cyber Security Awareness: Public awareness needs to be higher. Cybercrime prevention and cybersecurity is a shared responsibility of all of us by being aware of the threats and following the best practices. The frequent interaction between law enforcement and the public is necessary to raise awareness about safeguarding personal and financial information. Effective campaigns on cyber security are necessary to educate netizens.

Safety Tips for Netizens

Install up-to-date security software and firewalls on devices, use strong passwords for accounts, and regularly update software and applications. Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources, and be cautious of your personal information.

Conclusion

The rise of Cyber Crime Hotspots in specific regions or districts has significantly exacerbated the issue of increasing cybercrime rates. In order to combat cybercrime more effectively, it is necessary for law enforcement agencies to strengthen their coordination between different states and to adapt advanced technology methods to counter cybercrime threats effectively. Moreover, educating netizens about cyber crime threats and providing best practices is an effective method to counter these threats, considered the first line of defense against cybercrime.

References

• https://ncrb.gov.in/uploads/nationalcrimerecordsbureau/custom/1701607577CrimeinIndia2022Book1.pdf
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/no-kingpins-just-a-smartphone-and-sim-card-how-cybercriminals-in-mewat-scam-mobile-owners/articleshow/98062889.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.futurecrime.org/fcrf-cyber-crime-survey-2023
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/jamtara-loses-crown-as-new-remote-districts-rewrite-indias-cybercrime-map/articleshow/104475868.cms?from=mdr
• https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/secure-india/80-of-cyber-crimes-from-10-new-districts-iit-report/103921338
• https://www.dw.com/en/how-mewat-became-indias-new-hub-for-cyber-criminals/video-68674527
• https://www.indiatoday.in/from-india-today-magazine/story/into-cybercrime-hotspot-india-mewat-rajasthan-haryana-uttar-pradesh-2381545-2023-05-19
• https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/spotlight-how-nuh-district-in-haryana-became-a-breeding-ground-for-cybercriminals/article67098193.ece
• https://www.opindia.com/2024/04/nuh-mewat-cyber-crime-haryana-police-crackdown/#google_vignette

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Introduction 

In the interconnected world of social networking and the digital landscape, social media users have faced some issues like hacking. Hence there is a necessity to protect your personal information and data from scammers or hackers. In case your email or social media account gets hacked, there are mechanisms or steps you can utilise to recover your email or social media account. It is important to protect your email or social media accounts in order to protect your personal information and data on your account. It is always advisable to keep strong passwords to protect your account and enable two-factor authentication as an extra layer of protection. Hackers or bad actors can take control of your account, they can even change the linked mail ID or Mobile numbers to take full access to your account.

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Recent Incident

Recently, a US man's Facebook account was deleted or disabled by Facebook. He has sued Facebook and initiated a legal battle. He has contended that there was no violation of any terms and policy of the platform, and his account was disabled. In the first instance, he approached the platform. However, the platform neglected his issue then he filed a suit, where the court ordered Facebook's parent company, Meta, to pay $50,000 compensation, citing ignorance of the tech company. 

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Social media account recovery using the ‘Help’ Section

If your Facebook account has been disabled, when you log in to your account, you will see a text saying that your account is disabled. If you think that your account is disabled by mistake, in such a scenario, you can make a request to Facebook to ‘review’ its decision using the help centre section of the platform. To recover your social media account, you can go to the “Help” section of the platform where you can fix a login problem and also report any suspicious activity you have faced in your account. 

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Best practices to stay protected

1. Strong password: Use strong and unique passwords for your email and all social media accounts.
2. Privacy settings: You can utilise the privacy settings of the social media platform, where you can set privacy as to who can see your posts and who can see your contact information, and you can also keep your social media account private. You might have noticed a few accounts on which the user's name is unusual and isn’t one which you recognise. The account has few or no friends, posts, or visible account activity.
3. Avoid adding unknown users or strangers to your social networking accounts: Unknown users might be scammers who can steal your personal information from your social media profiles, and such bad actors can misuse that information to hack into your social media account. 
4. Report spam accounts or posts: If you encounter any spam post, spam account or inappropriate content, you can report such profile or post to the platform using the reporting centre. The platform will review the report and if it goes against the community guidelines or policy of the platform. Hence, recognise and report spam, inappropriate, and abusive content.
5. Be cautious of phishing scams: As a user, we encounter phishing emails or links, and phishing attacks can take place on social media as well. Hence, it is important that do not open any suspicious emails or links. On social media, ‘Quiz posts’ or ‘advertisement links’ may also contain phishing links, hence, do not open or click on such unauthenticated or suspicious links.

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Conclusion

We all use social media for connecting with people, sharing thoughts, and lots of other activities. For marketing or business, we use social media pages. Social media offers a convenient way to connect with a larger community. We also share our personal information on the platform. It becomes important to protect your personal information, your email and all your social media accounts from hackers or bad actors. Follow the best practices to stay safe, such as using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, etc. Hence contributing to keeping your social media accounts safe and secure.

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References:

• https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/07/11/facebook-wrongfully-deleted-his-account-he-sued-the-company-and-won
• https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recover-your-hacked-email-or-social-media-account

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