#FactCheck - False Claim of Hindu Sadhvi Marrying Muslim Man Debunked

Introduction

The advent of Electronic Vehicles (EVs) represents a transformative leap towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious transportation future by nations. However, as these vehicles become increasingly connected and reliant on advanced technological systems, a parallel concern emerges—data privacy. Integrating sophisticated technologies in EVs, such as GPS tracking, biometric authentication, and in-car connectivity, raises substantial questions about the collection, storage, and potential misuse of sensitive personal information. This intersection of automotive innovation and data privacy underscores the need for comprehensive solutions and regulatory frameworks to ensure that the benefits of electric vehicles are realised without compromising the privacy and security of their users.

Electronic vehicles primarily record three types of data;

1. Driving behaviour and patterns: The e-vehicle records braking and driving patterns, including acceleration, speed, and swerve. Some vehicles even track air conditioning usage and airbag deployment to determine the point of failure in the event of a crash.
2. Location data: The e-vehicles also track GPS systems to gauge the speed and direction of the vehicle.
3. EV functions and use of telematic services: Monitoring of EV functions includes battery use management, battery charging history, battery deterioration, electrical system functions and software version information.

Data Privacy requirements of companies

Companies manufacturing e-vehicles are saddled with several data privacy requirements as concerns about consumer safety. Data collected by e-vehicles may be sensitive in nature. Location tracking is a key issue that has garnered attention. The constant recording of a driver's whereabouts can lead to the creation of detailed profiles, raising questions about the potential misuse or unauthorised access to this sensitive information. The risk of surveillance, stalking, or even theft of valuable personal data is a genuine concern for EV owners.

Moreover, integrating smart features, such as voice recognition, biometric authentication, and in-car personal assistants, adds another layer of complexity. These features require the collection and processing of personal data. If not handled securely, they may become vulnerable to hacking or unauthorised access, leading to identity theft or other malicious activities. Additionally, Smart charging systems offer convenience by allowing remote monitoring and control of charging, but they also gather extensive data. The geographical data collected during charging may raise concerns about location privacy.

Striking a delicate balance between leveraging this data for enhancing vehicle performance and user experience while safeguarding the privacy of EV owners is paramount. Transparent privacy policies, secure data storage practices, and stringent encryption protocols are essential components of a comprehensive approach to data protection. If a company is eyeing the international market or utilising cloud-based software with decentralised global data storage, it must also navigate international privacy and data protection laws. A prime example is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a globally recognised and stringent data protection law applicable to both European-based companies and international entities providing goods, services, or monitoring activities of residents within Europe. 

Manufacturers of these vehicles are subjected to compliance with this comprehensive legal framework. Obligations on companies are levied by them being data fiduciaries; dual liability may also emanate since some data fiduciaries may also qualify as data processors. Special care must be taken when data is being transferred to third parties. 

Further, compliance with consumer safety laws is also an important consideration. In India, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 safeguards the rights of consumers, holding manufacturers, sellers, and service providers responsible for any harm resulting from faulty or defective products. This extends the Act's coverage to include manufacturers and sellers of internet and technology-based products. When read with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 (DPDP Act), the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 takes on additional significance. The DPDP Act, focusing on the security of an individual's digital personal data, introduces provisions such as mandatory consent, purpose limitation, data minimisation, obligatory security measures by organisations, data localisation, and enforcing accountability and compliance. These provisions apply to information generated by and for consumers, offering a comprehensive framework for protecting digital personal data.

Conclusion

The intersection of e-vehicles and data privacy necessitates a careful and comprehensive approach to ensure the coexistence of automotive innovation and user security. As electric vehicles record intricate data related to driving behaviour, location, and telematic services, companies manufacturing these vehicles must navigate a complex landscape of data privacy requirements. The potential risks associated with location tracking, smart features, and the extensive data collected during charging underscore the importance of transparent privacy policies, secure data storage practices, and stringent encryption protocols. Moreover, as companies expand globally, compliance with international privacy laws like the GDPR becomes imperative. Balancing the enhancement of vehicle performance and user experience with the safeguarding of privacy is paramount. Manufacturers, deemed as data fiduciaries, must exercise diligence, especially when transferring data to third parties. Additionally, adherence to consumer safety laws, such as the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, further emphasises the need for a holistic and vigilant approach to ensure the responsible use of data in the evolving landscape of e-vehicles.

References

• https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1556&context=chtlj 
• https://cyberswitching.com/electric-car-charging-and-data-privacy/#:~:text=Smart%20charging%20systems%20provide%20convenience,in%20safeguarding%20EV%20user%20privacy

The Ghibli trend has been in the news for the past couple of weeks for multiple reasons, be it good or bad. The nostalgia that everyone has for the art form has made people turn a blind eye to what the trend means to the artists who painstakingly create the art. The open-source platforms may be trained on artistic material without the artist's ‘explicit permission’ making it so that the rights of the artists are downgraded. The artistic community has reached a level where they are questioning their ability to create, which can be recreated by this software in a couple of seconds and without any thought as to what it is doing. OpenAI’s update on ChatGPT makes it simple for users to create illustrations that are like the style created by Hayao Miyazaki and made into anything from personal pictures to movie scenes and making them into Ghibli-style art. The updates in AI to generate art, including Ghibli-style, may raise critical questions about artistic integrity, intellectual property, and data privacy risks.

AI and the Democratization of Creativity

AI-powered tools have lowered barriers and enable more people to engage with artistic expression. AI allows people to create appealing content in the form of art regardless of their artistic capabilities. The update of ChatGPT has made it so that art has been democratized, and the abilities of the user don't matter. It makes art accessible, efficient and a creative experiment to many. 

Unfortunately, these developments also pose challenges for the original artistry and the labour of human creators. The concern doesn't just stop at AI replacing artists, but also about the potential misuse it can lead to. This includes unauthorized replication of distinct styles or deepfake applications. When it is used ethically, AI can enhance artistic processes. It can assist with repetitive tasks, improving efficiency, and enabling creative experimentation. 

However, its ability to mimic existing styles raises concerns. The potential that AI-generated content has could lead to a devaluation of human artists' work, potential copyright issues, and even data privacy risks. Unauthorized training of AI models that create art can be exploited for misinformation and deepfakes, making human oversight essential. Few artists believe that AI artworks are disrupting the accepted norms of the art world.  Additionally, AI can misinterpret prompts, producing distorted or unethical imagery that contradicts artistic intent and cultural values, highlighting the critical need for human oversight.

The Ethical and Legal Dilemmas

The main dilemma that surrounds trends such as the Ghibli trend is whether it compromises human efforts by blurring the line between inspiration and infringement of artistic freedom. Further, an issue that is not considered by most users is whether the personal content (personal pictures in this case) uploaded on AI models is posing a risk to their privacy. This leads to the issue where the potential misuse of AI-generated content can be used to spread misinformation through misleading or inappropriate visuals. 

The negative effects can only be balanced if a policy framework is created that can ensure the fair use of AI in Art. Further, this should ensure that the training of AI models is done in a manner that is fair to the artists who are the original creators of a style. Human oversight is needed to moderate the AI-generated content.  This oversight can be created by creating ethical AI usage guidelines for platforms that host AI-generated art. 

Conclusion: What Can Potentially Be Done?

AI is not a replacement for human effort, it is to ease human effort. We need to promote a balanced AI approach that protects the integrity of artists and, at the same time, continues to foster innovation. And finally, strengthening copyright laws to address AI-generated content. Labelling AI content and ensuring that this content is disclosed as AI-generated is the first step. Furthermore, there should be fair compensation made to the human artists based on whose work the AI model is trained. There is an increasing need to create global AI ethics guidelines to ensure that there is transparency, ethical use and human oversight in AI-driven art. The need of the hour is that industries should work collaboratively with regulators to ensure that there is responsible use of AI. 

References

• https://medium.com/@haileyq/my-experience-with-studio-ghibli-style-ai-art-ethical-debates-in-the-gpt-4o-era-b84e5a24cb60 
• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241018-ai-art-the-end-of-creativity-or-a-new-movement 

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Introduction

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the 'Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)'and the 'Chakshu' facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal to combat cybercrimes and financial frauds. Union telecom, IT and railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the initiatives, stating that the government has been working to counter cyber frauds at national, organizational, and individual levels. The Sanchar Saathi portal has successfully tackled such attacks, and the two new portals will further enhance the capacity to check any kind of cyber security threat.

The Digital Intelligence Platform is a secure and integrated platform for real-time intelligence sharing, information exchange, and coordination among stakeholders, including telecom operators, law enforcement agencies, banks, financial institutions, social media platforms, and identity document issuing authorities. It also contains information regarding cases detected as misuse of telecom resources.

The 'Chakshu' facility allows citizens to report suspected fraud communication received over call, SMS, or WhatsApp with the intention of defrauding, such as KYC expiry, bank account/payment wallet/SIM/gas connection/electricity connection, sextortion, impersonations a government official/relative for sending money, and disconnection of all mobile numbers by the Department of Telecommunications.

The launch of these proactive initiatives or steps represents another significant stride by the Ministry of Communications and the Department of Telecommunications in combating cybersecurity threats to citizens' digital assets.

In this age of technology, there is a reason to be concerned about the threats posed by cybercrooks to individuals and organizations. The risk of using digital means for communication, e-commerce, and critical infrastructure has increased significantly. It is important to have proper measures in place to prevent cybercrime and destructive behavior. The Department of Telecommunication has unveiled "Chakshu," a digital intelligence portal aimed at combating cybercrimes. This platform seeks to enhance the country's cyber defense capabilities by providing enforcement agencies with effective tools and actionable intelligence for countering cybercrimes, including financial frauds.

Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)

Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) developed by the Department of Telecommunications is a secure and integrated platform for real-time intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordination among the stakeholders i.e. Telecom Service Providers(TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks and financial institutions(FIs), social media platforms, identity document issuing authorities etc. The portal also contains information regarding the cases detected as misuse of telecom resources. The shared information could be useful to the stakeholders in their respective domains. It also works as a backend repository for the citizen-initiated requests on the Sanchar Saathi portal for action by the stakeholders. The DIP is accessible to the stakeholders through secure connectivity, and the relevant information is shared based on their respective roles. However, the platform is not accessible to citizens.‍

What is Chakshu?

Chakshu, which means “eye” in Hindi, is a new feature on the Sanchar Saathi portal. This citizen-friendly platform allows you to report suspicious communication you receive via calls, SMS, or WhatsApp. “Chakshu” is a new advanced tool to safeguard against modern-day cybercriminal activities. Chakshu is a sophisticated design that uses the latest technologies for assembling and analyzing digital information and provides law enforcement agencies with useful data on what should be done next. Below are some of its attributes.

Here are some examples of what you can report:

-       Fraudulent messages claiming your KYC (Know Your Customer)details need to be updated.

-       Fraudulent requests to update your bank account, payment wallet, or SIM card details.

-       Phishing attempts impersonating government officials or relatives asking for money.

-       Fraudulent threats of disconnection of your sim connections.

How Chakshu Aims to crackdown Cybercrime and Financial Frauds

Chakshu is a new tool on the Sanchar Saathi platform that invites individuals to report suspected fraudulent communications received by phone, SMS, or WhatsApp. These fraudulent activities may include attempts to deceive individuals through schemes such as KYC expiry or update requests for bank accounts, payment wallets, SIM cards, gas connections, and electricity connections, sextortion, impersonation of government officials or relatives for financial gain, or false claims of mobile number disconnection by the Department of Telecommunications.

The tool is well-designed and equipped to help the investigators with actionable intelligence and insights, enabling LEAs to conduct targeted investigations on financial frauds and cyber-crimes; the tool helps in gathering a comprehensive data analysis and evidence collection capability by mapping out the connection between individuals, organizations and illicit activities, it, therefore, allows the law enforcement agencies in dismantling criminal activities and help the law enforcement agencies.

Chakshu’s Impact

India has launched Chakshu, a digital intelligence tool that strengthens the country's cybersecurity policy. Chakshu employs modern technology and real-time data analysis to enhance India's cyber defenses. Law enforcement can detect and neutralize possible threats by taking proactive approach to threat analysis and prevention before they become significant crises. Chakshu also improves the resilience of critical infrastructure and digital ecosystems, safeguarding them against cyber-attacks. Overall, Chakshu plays an important role in India's cybersecurity posture and the protection of national interests in the digital era.

Where can Chaksu be accessed?

Chakshu can be accessed through the government's Sanchar Saathi web portal:https://sancharsaathi.gov.in

Conclusion

The launch of the Digital Intelligence Platform and Chakshu facility is a step forward in safeguarding citizens from cybercrimes and financial fraud. These initiatives use advanced technology and stakeholder collaboration to empower law enforcement agencies. The Department of Telecommunications' proactive approach demonstrates the government's commitment to cybersecurity defenses and protecting digital assets, ensuring a safer digital environment for citizens and critical infrastructure.

References

• https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/dot-launches-digital-intelligence-portal-chakshu-facility-to-curb-cybercrimes-financial-frauds/108220814
• https://bankingfrontiers.com/digital-intelligence-platform-launched-to-curb-cybercrime-financial-fraud/
• https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/calcutta-hc-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-sends-his-resignation-to-prez-cji-124030500367_1.html
• https://www.the420.in/dip-chakshu-government-launches-powerful-weapons-against-cybercrime/
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2011383

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