#FactCheck - Digitally Altered Video of Olympic Medalist, Arshad Nadeem’s Independence Day Message
Executive Summary:
A video of Pakistani Olympic gold medalist and Javelin player Arshad Nadeem wishing Independence Day to the People of Pakistan, with claims of snoring audio in the background is getting viral. CyberPeace Research Team found that the viral video is digitally edited by adding the snoring sound in the background. The original video published on Arshad's Instagram account has no snoring sound where we are certain that the viral claim is false and misleading.
Claims:
A video of Pakistani Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem wishing Independence Day with snoring audio in the background.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the posts, we thoroughly checked the video, we then analyzed the video in TrueMedia, an AI Video detection tool, and found little evidence of manipulation in the voice and also in face.
We then checked the social media accounts of Arshad Nadeem, we found the video uploaded on his Instagram Account on 14th August 2024. In that video, we couldn’t hear any snoring sound.
Hence, we are certain that the claims in the viral video are fake and misleading.
Conclusion:
The viral video of Arshad Nadeem with a snoring sound in the background is false. CyberPeace Research Team confirms the sound was digitally added, as the original video on his Instagram account has no snoring sound, making the viral claim misleading.
- Claim: A snoring sound can be heard in the background of Arshad Nadeem's video wishing Independence Day to the people of Pakistan.
- Claimed on: X,
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
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Introduction
Recently, a Consultation Paper on Regulatory Mechanisms for Over-The-Top (OTT) Communication Services was published by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The paper explores several OTT regulation-related challenges and solicits input from stakeholders on a suggested regulatory framework. We’ll summarise the paper’s main conclusions in this blog.
Structure of the Paper
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s Consultation Paper on Regulatory Mechanism for Over-The-Top (OTT) Communication Services and Selective Banning of OTT Services intends to solicit comments and recommendations from stakeholders about the regulation of OTT services in India. The paper is broken up into five chapters that cover the introduction and background, issues with regulatory mechanisms for OTT communication services, issues with the selective banning of OTT services, a summary of the issues for consultation, and an overview of international practices on the topic. Written comments from interested parties are requested and may be sent electronically to the Advisor (Networks, Spectrum and Licencing) at TRAI. These comments will also be posted on the TRAI website.
Overview of the Paper
- Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
- The first chapter of the essay introduces the subject of OTT communication services and argues why regulatory frameworks are necessary. The chapter also gives a general outline of the topics and the paper’s organisation that will be covered in the following chapters.
- Chapter 2: Examination of the Issues Related to Regulatory Mechanism for Over-The-Top Communication Services
- The second chapter of the essay looks at the problems with OTT communication service regulation. It talks about the many kinds of OTT services and how they affect the conventional telecom sector. The chapter also looks at the regulatory issues raised by OTT services and the various strategies used by various nations to address them.
- Chapter 3: Examination of the Issues Related to Selective Banning of OTT Services
- The final chapter of the essay looks at the problems of selectively outlawing OTT services. It analyses the justifications for government restrictions on OTT services as well as the possible effects of such restrictions on consumers and the telecom sector. The chapter also looks at the legal and regulatory structures that determine how OTT services are prohibited in various nations.
- Chapter 4: International Practices
- An overview of global OTT communication service best practices is given in the paper’s fourth chapter. It talks about the various regulatory strategies used by nations throughout the world and how they affect consumers and the telecom sector. The chapter also looks at the difficulties regulators encounter when trying to create efficient regulatory frameworks for OTT services.
- Chapter 5: Issues for Consultation
- This chapter is the spirit of the consultation paper as it covers the points and questions for consultation. This chapter has been classified into two sub-sections – Issues Related to Regulatory Mechanisms for OTT Communication Services and Issues Related to the Selective Banning of OTT Services. The inputs will be entirely focused on these sub headers, and the scope, extent, and ambit of the consultation paper rests on these questions and necessary inputs.
Conclusion
An important publication that aims to address the regulatory issues raised by OTT services is the Consultation Paper on Regulatory Mechanisms for Over-The-Top Communication Services. The paper offers a thorough analysis of the problems with OTT service regulation and requests input from stakeholders on the suggested regulatory structure. In order to make sure that the regulatory framework is efficient and advantageous for everyone, it is crucial for all stakeholders to offer their opinion on the document.
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Introduction
As the 2024 Diwali festive season approaches, netizens eagerly embrace the spirit of celebration with online shopping, gifting, and searching for the best festive deals on online platforms. Historical web data from India shows that netizens' online activity spikes at this time as people shop online to upgrade their homes, buy unique presents for loved ones and look for services and products to make their celebrations more joyful.
However, with the increase in online transactions and digital interactions, cybercriminals take advantage of the festive rush by enticing users with fake schemes, fake coupons offering freebies, fake offers of discounted jewellery, counterfeit product sales, festival lotteries, fake lucky draws and charity appeals, malicious websites and more. Cybercrimes, especially phishing attempts, also spike in proportion to user activity and shopping trends at this time.
Hence, it becomes important for all netizens to stay alert, making sure their personal information and financial data is protected and ensure that they exercise due care and caution before clicking on any suspicious links or offers. Additionally, brands and platforms also must make strong cybersecurity a top priority to safeguard their customers and build trust.
Diwali Season and Phishing Attempts
Last year's report from CloudSEK's research team noted an uptick in cyber threats during the Diwali period, where cybercriminals leveraged the festive mood to launch phishing, betting and crypto scams. The report revealed that phishing attempts target the e-commerce industries and seek to damage the image of reputable brands. An astounding 828 distinct domains devoted to phishing activities were found in the Facebook Ads Library by CloudSEK's investigators. The report also highlighted the use of typosquatting techniques to create phony-but-plausible domains that trick users into believing they are legitimate websites, by exploiting common typing errors or misspellings of popular domain names. As fraudsters are increasingly misusing AI and deepfake technologies to their advantage, we expect even more of these dangers to surface this year over the festive season.
CyberPeace Advisory
It is important that netizens exercise caution, especially during the festive period and follow cyber safety practices to avoid cybercrimes and phishing attempts. Some of the cyber hygiene best practices suggested by CyberPeace are as follows:
- Netizens must verify the sender’s email, address, and domain with the official site for the brand/ entity the sender claims to be affiliated with.
- Netizens must avoid clicking links received through email, messages or shared on social media and consider visiting the official website directly.
- Beware of urgent, time-sensitive offers pressuring immediate action.
- Spot phishing signs like spelling errors and suspicious URLs to avoid typosquatting tactics used by cybercriminals.
- Netizens must enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of security.
- Have authenticated antivirus software and malware detection software installed on your devices.
- Be wary of unsolicited festive deals, gifts and offers.
- Stay informed on common tactics used by cybercriminals to launch phishing attacks and recognise the red flags of any phishing attempts.
- To report cybercrimes, file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or helpline number 1930. You can also seek assistance from the CyberPeace helpline at +91 9570000066.
References
- https://www.outlookmoney.com/plan/financial-plan/this-diwali-beware-of-these-financial-scams
- https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/diwali-and-pooja-domains-being-exploited-by-online-scams-see-tips-to-help-you-stay-safe-405323-2023-11-10
- https://www.abplive.com/states/bihar/bihar-crime-news-15-cyber-fraud-arrested-in-nawada-before-diwali-2024-ann-2805088
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/phishing-you-a-happy-diwali-ai-advancements-pave-way-for-cybercriminals/articleshow/113966675.cms?from=mdr
Executive Summary
A video circulating on social media shows Dr. Vikas Divyakirti speaking during a podcast, where he is heard saying, “Those who cannot even memorise and speak four sentences are considered the greatest in India.” Several users are sharing the clip claiming that the remark was aimed at Narendra Modi. However, a research by CyberPeace found the claim to be misleading. The research revealed that the viral clip has been edited and shared out of context. In the original video, Divyakirti made the remarks in reference to film stars, not the Prime Minister.
Claim
On Facebook, a user shared the viral clip with an English caption alleging that Divyakirti criticised Modi, saying he cannot speak without a teleprompter or scripted interviews and has built a false image of greatness.
Similarly, another user shared the video on X, suggesting that people who cannot speak without a teleprompter are still considered great in India, indirectly linking the remark to Modi.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. This led us to the original video uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Raj Shamani.
At around the 3:55 mark, the same clip can be seen. During the conversation, Shamani asks whether building a larger-than-life perception actually benefits an individual. Responding to this, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti explains that film stars often have an exaggerated public image. He notes that many of the dialogues they are praised for are not written by them, but by others, and some even rely on teleprompters while speaking. He further adds that there are individuals who cannot even memorise and deliver four sentences or think independently, yet are regarded as great in India. He also mentions that many social media personalities use teleprompters, but audiences remain unaware and assume they possess exceptional knowledge.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The video has been edited and shared out of context. Dr. Vikas Divyakirti was referring to film stars and social media personalities, not Narendra Modi.
