#Factcheck-Viral Image of Men Riding an Elephant Next to a Tiger in Bihar is Misleading

Introduction  

The emergence of deepfake technology has become a significant problem in an era driven by technological growth and power. The government has reacted proactively as a result of concerns about the exploitation of this technology due to its extraordinary realism in manipulating information. The national government is in the vanguard of defending national interests, public trust, and security as the digital world changes. On the 26th of December 2023, the central government issued an advisory to businesses, highlighting how urgent it is to confront this growing threat.

The directive aims to directly address the growing concerns around Deepfakes, or misinformation driven by AI. This advice represents the result of talks that Union Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, had with intermediaries during the course of a month-long Digital India dialogue. The main aim of the advisory is to accurately and clearly inform users about information that is forbidden, especially those listed under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules. 

Advisory

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sent a formal recommendation to all intermediaries, requesting adherence to current IT regulations and emphasizing the need to address issues with misinformation, specifically those driven by artificial intelligence (AI), such as Deepfakes. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar released the recommendation, which highlights the necessity of communicating forbidden information in a clear and understandable manner, particularly in light of Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules.

Advise on Prohibited Content Communication

According to MeitY's advice, intermediaries must transmit content that is prohibited by Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules in a clear and accurate manner. This involves giving users precise details during enrollment, login, and content sharing/uploading on the website, as well as including such information in customer contracts and terms of service.

Ensuring Users Are Aware of the Rules

Digital platform suppliers are required to inform their users of the laws that are relevant to them. This covers provisions found in the IT Act of 2000 and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Corporations should inform users of the potential consequences of breaking the restrictions outlined in Rule 3(1)(b) and should also urge users to notify any illegal activity to law enforcement.

Talks Concerning Deepfakes

For more than a month, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar had a significant talk with various platforms where they addressed the issue of "deepfakes," or computer-generated fake videos. The meeting emphasized how crucial it is that everyone abides by the laws and regulations in effect, particularly the IT Rules to prevent deepfakes from spreading.  

Addressing the Danger of Disinformation

Minister Chandrasekhar underlined the grave issue of disinformation, particularly in the context of deepfakes, which are false pieces of content produced using the latest developments such as artificial intelligence. He emphasized the dangers this deceptive data posed to internet users' security and confidence. The Minister emphasized the efficiency of the IT regulations in addressing this issue and cited the Prime Minister's caution about the risks of deepfakes.

Rule Against Spreading False Information

The Minister referred particularly to Rule 3(1)(b)(v), which states unequivocally that it is forbidden to disseminate false information, even when doing so involves cutting-edge technology like deepfakes. He called on intermediaries—the businesses that offer digital platforms—to take prompt action to take such content down from their systems. Additionally, he ensured that everyone is aware that breaking such rules has legal implications.

Analysis 

The Central Government's latest advisory on deepfake technology demonstrates a proactive strategy to deal with new issues. It also highlights the necessity of comprehensive legislation to directly regulate AI material, particularly with regard to user interests.

There is a wider regulatory vacuum for content produced by artificial intelligence, even though the current guideline concentrates on the precision and lucidity of information distribution. While some limitations are mentioned in the existing laws, there are no clear guidelines for controlling or differentiating AI-generated content.

Positively, it is laudable that the government has recognized the dangers posed by deepfakes and is making appropriate efforts to counter them. As AI technology develops, there is a chance to create thorough laws that not only solve problems but also create a supportive environment for the creation of ethical AI content. User protection, accountability, openness, and moral AI use would all benefit from such laws. This offers an opportunity for regulatory development to guarantee the successful and advantageous incorporation of AI into our digital environment.

Conclusion 

The Central Government's preemptive advice on deepfake technology shows a great dedication to tackling new risks in the digital sphere. The advice highlights the urgent need to combat deepfakes, but it also highlights the necessity for extensive legislation on content produced by artificial intelligence. The lack of clear norms offers a chance for constructive regulatory development to protect the interests of users. The advancement of AI technology necessitates the adoption of rules that promote the creation of ethical AI content, guaranteeing user protection, accountability, and transparency. This is a turning point in the evolution of regulations, making it easier to responsibly incorporate AI into our changing digital landscape.

References

• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/deepfake-menace-govt-issues-advisory-to-intermediaries-to-comply-with-existing-it-rules/articleshow/106297813.cms
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1990542#:~:text=Ministry%20of%20Electronics%20and%20Information,misinformation%20powered%20by%20AI%20%E2%80%93%20Deepfakes.
• https://www.timesnownews.com/india/centres-deepfake-warning-to-it-firms-ensure-users-dont-violate-content-rules-article-106298282#:~:text=The%20Union%20government%20on%20Tuesday,actors%2C%20businesspersons%20and%20other%20celebrities

Introduction 

Governments worldwide are enacting cybersecurity laws to enhance resilience and secure cyberspace against growing threats like data breaches, cyber espionage,  and state-sponsored attacks in the digital landscape. As a response, the EU Council has been working on adopting new laws and regulations under its EU Cybersecurity Package- a framework to enhance cybersecurity capacities across the EU to protect critical infrastructure, businesses, and citizens. Recently, the Cyber Solidarity Act was adopted by the Council, which aims to improve coordination among EU member states for increased cyber resilience. Since regulations in the EU play a significant role in shaping the global regulatory environment, it is important to keep an eye on such developments.

Overview of the Cyber Solidarity Act 

The Act sets up a European Cyber Security Alert System consisting of Cross-Border Cyber Hubs across Europe to collect intelligence and act on cyber threats by leveraging emerging technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics to share warnings on cyber threats with other cyber data centres across the national borders of the EU. This is expected to assist authorities in responding to cyber threats and incidents more quickly and effectively. 

Further, it provides for the creation of a new Cybersecurity Emergency Mechanism to enhance incident response systems in the EU.  This will include testing the vulnerabilities in critical sectors like transport, energy, healthcare, finance, etc., and creating a reserve of private parties to provide mutual technical assistance for incident response requests from EU member-states or associated third countries of the Digital Europe Programme in case of a large-scale incident.  

Finally, it also provides for the establishment of a European Cybersecurity Incident Review Mechanism to monitor the impact of the measures under this law. 

Key Themes

1. Greater Integration: The success of this Act depends on the quality of cooperation and interoperability between various governmental stakeholders across defence, diplomacy, etc. with regard to data formats, taxonomy, data handling and data analytics tools. For example, Cross-Border Cyber Hubs are mandated to take the interoperability guidelines set by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) as a starting point for information-sharing principles with each other.  
2. Public-Private Collaboration: The Act provides a framework to govern relationships between stakeholders such as the public sector, the private sector, academia, civil society and the media, identifying that public-private collaboration is crucial for strengthing EUs cyber resilience. In this regard, National Cyber Hubs are proposed to carry out the strengthening of information sharing between public and private entities.  
3. Centralized Regulation: The Act aims to strengthen all of the EU's cyber solidarity by outlining dedicated infrastructure for improved coordination and intelligence-sharing regarding cyber events among member states. Equal matching contribution for procuring the tools, infrastructure and services is to be made by each selected member state and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, a body tasked with funding cybersecurity projects in the EU. 
4. Setting a Global Standard: The underlying rationale behind strengthening cybersecurity in the EU is not just to protect EU citizens from cyber-threats to their fundamental rights but also to drive norms for world-class standards for cybersecurity for essential and critical services, an initiative several countries rely on.

Conclusion

In the current digital landscape, governments, businesses, critical sectors and people are increasingly interconnected through information and network connection systems and are using emerging technologies like AI, exposing them to multidimensional vulnerabilities in cyberspace. The EU in this regard continues to be a leader in setting standards for the safety of participants in the digital arena through regulations regarding cybersecurity. The Cyber Solidarity Act’s design including cross-border cooperation, public-private collaboration, and proactive incident-monitoring and response sets a precedent for a unified approach to cybersecurity. As the EU’s Cybersecurity Package continues to evolve, it will play a crucial role in ensuring a secure and resilient digital future for all. 

Sources

• https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/02/cybersecurity-package-council-adopts-new-laws-to-strengthen-cybersecurity-capacities-in-the-eu/ 
• https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/PE-94-2024-INIT/en/pdf 
• https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/cybersecurity-strategy 
• https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/10/cybersecurity-regulation-changes-nis2-eu-2024/

Executive Summary:

‍

A video showing poor runway visibility from inside an aircraft cockpit is being widely shared on social media, linking it to an alleged aircraft accident involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Baramati on January 28, 2025. Users claim that the footage captured the final moments before the crash, suggesting that the runway visibility disappeared just seconds before landing. However, research conducted by the CyberPeace found the viral claim to be misleading. The research revealed that the video has no connection to any aircraft accident involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In reality, the video dates back to 2013 and shows a pilot attempting to land an aircraft amid heavy rain. During the approach, the runway briefly disappears from the pilot’s view, prompting the pilot to abort the landing and execute a go-around. The aircraft later lands safely after weather conditions improve.

‍

Claim

‍

An Instagram user shared the viral video on January 29, 2026, claiming:“Baramati plane crash: video of the aircraft accident surfaces. Runway disappears just three seconds before landing.” (The link to the post, its archived version, and screenshots are provided below.)

• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUEKRnuDJ3Y/ 
• https://archive.ph/submit/

‍

Fact Check

‍

To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. The search led us to the same video uploaded on a YouTube channel named douglesso, which was published on June 12, 2013. (Footage link and screenshot available below.)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtlS0sxFlHk&t=24s 

‍

‍

Further research led us to a report published by the American media website CNET, which featured the same visual. According to the report, the video shows a Boeing Business Jet attempting to land during heavy rainfall. The aircraft was conducting a CAT I Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach when a sudden downpour drastically reduced visibility at decision height. As the runway briefly disappeared from view, the pilots aborted the landing and carried out a go-around. The aircraft later landed safely once weather conditions improved. (The link to the CNET report and its screenshot are provided below.)

• https://www.cnet.com/culture/this-is-what-happens-when-a-plane-is-landing-and-the-runway-disappears/ 

‍

‍

‍

‍

Conclusion

‍

Our research confirms that the video circulating on social media is unrelated to any recent aircraft accident involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The clip is an old video from 2013, which is now being shared with a false and misleading claim.

‍