#FactCheck - Misleading Video Allegedly Depicting Trampling of Indian Tri-colour in Kerala or Tamil Nadu Circulates on Social Media
Executive Summary:
The video that allegedly showed cars running into an Indian flag while Pakistan flags flying in the air in Indian states, went viral on social media but it has been established to be misleading. The video posted is neither from Kerala nor Tamil Nadu as claimed, instead from Karachi, Pakistan. There are specific details like the shop's name, Pakistani flags, car’s number plate, geolocation analyses that locate where the video comes from. The false information underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
Claims:
A video circulating on social media shows cars trampling the Indian Tricolour painted on a road, as Pakistani flags are raised in pride, with the incident allegedly taking place in Tamil Nadu or Kerala.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the post we closely watched the video, and found several signs that indicated the video was from Pakistan but not from any place in India.
We divided the video into keyframes and found a shop name near the road.
We enhanced the image quality to see the shop name clearly.
We can see that it’s written as ‘Sanam’, also we can see Pakistan flags waving on the road. Taking a cue from this we did some keyword searches with the shop name. We found some shops with the name and one of the shop's name ‘Sanam Boutique’ located in Karachi, Pakistan, was found to be similar when analyzed using geospatial Techniques.
We also found a similar structure of the building while geolocating the place with the viral video.
Additional confirmation of the place is the car’s number plate found in the keyframes of the video.
We found a website that shows the details of the number Plate in Karachi, Pakistan.
Upon thorough investigation, it was found that the location in the viral video is from Karachi, Pakistan, but not from Kerala or Tamil Nadu as claimed by different users in Social Media. Hence, the claim made is false and misleading.
Conclusion:
The video circulating on social media, claiming to show cars trampling the Indian Tricolour on a road while Pakistani flags are waved, does not depict an incident in Kerala or Tamil Nadu as claimed. By fact-checking methodologies, it has been confirmed now that the location in the video is actually from Karachi, Pakistan. The misrepresentation shows the importance of verifying the source of any information before sharing it on social media to prevent the spread of false narratives.
- Claim: A video shows cars trampling the Indian Tricolour painted on a road, as Pakistani flags are raised in pride, taking place in Tamil Nadu or Kerala.
- Claimed on: X (Formerly known as Twitter)
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
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Introduction
A recent massive scam has been uncovered in the Indian state of Gujarat, where the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has blacklisted 30,000 SIM cards that were used for illegal activities. The scam has created a huge uproar in the state, and its implications are significant. In this blog, we will discuss the details of the Gujarat scam and its impact on the state.
What is sim card fraud?
Sim card fraud occurs when someone uses a fake or cloned sim card to impersonate someone else. This allows the fraudster to gain access to sensitive information or conduct transactions on behalf of the victim. The use of fraudulent sim cards has become increasingly common in recent years, with scammers targeting individuals and businesses around the world.
The Gujarat Scam: The Gujarat scam involves the use of SIM cards for illegal activities such as extortion, blackmail, and cybercrime. The CID has identified that the SIM cards were obtained using fake documents and were used for illegal activities. The scam has been happening for a while, involving several individuals, including businessmen, politicians, and government officials.
The CID has conducted raids across the state and has arrested several individuals involved in the scam. They have also seized a significant amount of cash, mobile phones, and other electronic devices used for illegal activities. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days.
The Gujarat scam is not an isolated incident, as similar scams have been reported in other parts of the country. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also reported that several telecom operators are not following the regulations and are not verifying the authenticity of documents used to obtain SIM cards.
Impact on the State: The Gujarat scam has caused significant damage to the state’s reputation, and it has also affected the economy. The scam has highlighted the lack of regulation in the telecom industry, and it has exposed the loopholes in the system that criminals are exploiting.
The blacklisting of 30,000 SIM cards will affect several individuals who may have obtained them legally but were unaware of their use for illegal activities. The blacklisting may also impact businesses that rely on mobile phones for their operations.
The scam has also raised concerns about personal information and data safety. With the use of fake documents to obtain SIM cards, it is evident that personal information is not secure and can be easily misused. The government needs to take steps to ensure that personal information is protected and that the telecom industry is regulated to prevent such scams from happening in the future.
Steps Taken by the Government: The Gujarat scam has prompted the government to take action to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The government has announced that it will implement stricter regulations in the telecom industry to prevent the misuse of SIM cards. The government has also announced that it will introduce a system to verify the authenticity of documents used to obtain SIM cards.
The government has also urged citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to the misuse of SIM cards. The government has assured citizens that it will take strict action against those involved in the scam and that it will ensure the safety of personal information and data.
The TRAI has also taken steps to address the issue. It has directed telecom operators to verify the authenticity of documents used to obtain SIM cards and to follow the regulations. The TRAI has also introduced a new system to identify and deactivate inactive SIM cards.
Here are some key takeaways from the Gujarat Sim scam: These takeaways should be kept in mind to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and to ensure the safety of citizens and businesses.
Need for Stricter Regulations: The Gujarat Sim scam has highlighted the need for stricter regulations in the telecom industry. The government needs to ensure that telecom operators follow the regulations and verify the authenticity of documents used to obtain SIM cards. This will help prevent the misuse of SIM cards and illegal activities.
Importance of Personal Information Security: The scam has raised concerns about personal information and data safety. It is important to ensure that personal information is protected and that the telecom industry is regulated to prevent such scams from happening in the future.
Impact on Reputation and Economy: The Gujarat scam has caused significant damage to the state’s reputation, and it has also affected the economy. The blacklisting of 30,000 SIM cards will impact several individuals who may have obtained them legally but were unaware of their use for illegal activities. The scam has also raised concerns about the safety of businesses that rely on mobile phones for their operations.
Need for Vigilance: The government has urged citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to the misuse of SIM cards. It is important for citizens to be aware of the regulations and to report any illegal activities to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Strong Action Against Criminals: The blacklisting of 30,000 SIM cards and the arrests made by the CID sends a strong message to those involved in illegal activities that they will not be spared. It is important for the government to take strict action against those involved in the scam to deter others from engaging in such activities.
Conclusion
The Gujarat scam has exposed vulnerabilities in the telecom industry and highlighted the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The blacklisting of 30,000 SIM cards has sent a strong message to those involved in illegal activities that they will not be spared. The government’s efforts to implement stricter regulations and ensure the safety of personal information and data are commendable. It is now up to the citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The telecom industry plays a vital role in the country’s development, and it is important to ensure that it is regulated to prevent the misuse of its services. Overall, the Gujarat Sim scam has highlighted the need for stricter regulations, personal information security, vigilance, and strong action against criminals.
Reference:
The World Economic Forum reported that AI-generated misinformation and disinformation are the second most likely threat to present a material crisis on a global scale in 2024 at 53% (Sept. 2023). Artificial intelligence is automating the creation of fake news at a rate disproportionate to its fact-checking. It is spurring an explosion of web content mimicking factual articles that instead disseminate false information about grave themes such as elections, wars and natural disasters.
According to a report by the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, a Canadian think tank, the most prevalent effect of Generative AI is the ability to flood the information ecosystem with misleading and factually-incorrect content. As reported by Democracy Reporting International during the 2024 elections of the European Union, Google's Gemini, OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0, and Microsoft’s AI interface ‘CoPilot’ were inaccurate one-third of the time when engaged for any queries regarding the election data. Therefore, a need for an innovative regulatory approach like regulatory sandboxes which can address these challenges while encouraging responsible AI innovation is desired.
What Is AI-driven Misinformation?
False or misleading information created, amplified, or spread using artificial intelligence technologies is AI-driven misinformation. Machine learning models are leveraged to automate and scale the creation of false and deceptive content. Some examples are deep fakes, AI-generated news articles, and bots that amplify false narratives on social media.
The biggest challenge is in the detection and management of AI-driven misinformation. It is difficult to distinguish AI-generated content from authentic content, especially as these technologies advance rapidly.
AI-driven misinformation can influence elections, public health, and social stability by spreading false or misleading information. While public adoption of the technology has undoubtedly been rapid, it is yet to achieve true acceptance and actually fulfill its potential in a positive manner because there is widespread cynicism about the technology - and rightly so. The general public sentiment about AI is laced with concern and doubt regarding the technology’s trustworthiness, mainly due to the absence of a regulatory framework maturing on par with the technological development.
Regulatory Sandboxes: An Overview
Regulatory sandboxes refer to regulatory tools that allow businesses to test and experiment with innovative products, services or businesses under the supervision of a regulator for a limited period. They engage by creating a controlled environment where regulators allow businesses to test new technologies or business models with relaxed regulations.
Regulatory sandboxes have been in use for many industries and the most recent example is their use in sectors like fintech, such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority sandbox. These models have been known to encourage innovation while allowing regulators to understand emerging risks. Lessons from the fintech sector show that the benefits of regulatory sandboxes include facilitating firm financing and market entry and increasing speed-to-market by reducing administrative and transaction costs. For regulators, testing in sandboxes informs policy-making and regulatory processes. Looking at the success in the fintech industry, regulatory sandboxes could be adapted to AI, particularly for overseeing technologies that have the potential to generate or spread misinformation.
The Role of Regulatory Sandboxes in Addressing AI Misinformation
Regulatory sandboxes can be used to test AI tools designed to identify or flag misinformation without the risks associated with immediate, wide-scale implementation. Stakeholders like AI developers, social media platforms, and regulators work in collaboration within the sandbox to refine the detection algorithms and evaluate their effectiveness as content moderation tools.
These sandboxes can help balance the need for innovation in AI and the necessity of protecting the public from harmful misinformation. They allow the creation of a flexible and adaptive framework capable of evolving with technological advancements and fostering transparency between AI developers and regulators. This would lead to more informed policymaking and building public trust in AI applications.
CyberPeace Policy Recommendations
Regulatory sandboxes offer a mechanism to predict solutions that will help to regulate the misinformation that AI tech creates. Some policy recommendations are as follows:
- Create guidelines for a global standard for including regulatory sandboxes that can be adapted locally and are useful in ensuring consistency in tackling AI-driven misinformation.
- Regulators can propose to offer incentives to companies that participate in sandboxes. This would encourage innovation in developing anti-misinformation tools, which could include tax breaks or grants.
- Awareness campaigns can help in educating the public about the risks of AI-driven misinformation and the role of regulatory sandboxes can help manage public expectations.
- Periodic and regular reviews and updates to the sandbox frameworks should be conducted to keep pace with advancements in AI technology and emerging forms of misinformation should be emphasized.
Conclusion and the Challenges for Regulatory Frameworks
Regulatory sandboxes offer a promising pathway to counter the challenges that AI-driven misinformation poses while fostering innovation. By providing a controlled environment for testing new AI tools, these sandboxes can help refine technologies aimed at detecting and mitigating false information. This approach ensures that AI development aligns with societal needs and regulatory standards, fostering greater trust and transparency. With the right support and ongoing adaptations, regulatory sandboxes can become vital in countering the spread of AI-generated misinformation, paving the way for a more secure and informed digital ecosystem.
References
- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/on-the-importance-of-regulatory-sandboxes-in-artificial-intelligence/article68176084.ece
- https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/regulatory-sandboxes-in-artificial-intelligence_8f80a0e6-en.html
- https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2024/
- https://democracy-reporting.org/en/office/global/publications/chatbot-audit#Conclusions
A few of us were sitting together, talking shop - which, for moms, inevitably circles back to children, their health and education. Mothers of teenagers were concerned that their children seemed to spend an excessive amount of time online and had significantly reduced verbal communication at home.
Reena shared that she was struggling to understand her two boys, who had suddenly transformed from talkative, lively children into quiet, withdrawn teenagers.
Naaz nodded. “My daughter is glued to her device. I just can’t get her off it! What do I do, girls? Any suggestions?”
Mou sighed, “And what about the rising scams? I keep warning my kids about online threats, but I’m not sure I’m doing enough.”
Not just scams, those come later. What worries me more are the videos and photos of unsuspecting children being edited and misused on digital platforms,” added Reena.
The Digital Parenting Dilemma
For parents, it’s a constant challenge—allowing children internet access means exposing them to potential risks while restricting it invites criticism for being overly strict.
‘What do I do?’ is a question that troubles many parents, as they know how addictive phones and gaming devices can be. (Fun fact: Even parents sometimes struggle to resist endlessly scrolling through social media!)
‘What should I tell them, and when?’ This becomes a pressing concern when parents hear about cyberbullying, online grooming, or even cyberabduction.
‘How do I ensure they stay cybersafe?’ This remains an ongoing worry, as children grow and their online activities evolve.
Whether it’s a single-child, dual-income household, a two-child, single-income family, or any other combination, parents have their hands full managing work, chores, and home life. Sometimes, children have to be left alone—with grandparents, caregivers, or even by themselves for a few hours—making it difficult to monitor their digital lives. While smartphones help parents stay connected and track their child’s location, they can also expose children to risks if not used responsibly.
Breaking It Down
Start cybersafety discussions early and tailor them to your child’s age.
For simplicity, let’s categorize learning into five key age groups:
- 0 – 2 years
- 3 – 7 years
- 8 – 12 years
- 13 – 16 years
- 16 – 19 years
Let’s explore the key safety messages for each stage.
Reminder:
Children will always test boundaries and may resist rules. The key is to lead by example—practice cybersafety as a family.
0 – 2 Years: Newborns & Infants
Pediatricians recommend avoiding screen exposure for children under two years old. If you occasionally allow screen time (for example, while changing them), keep it to a minimum. Children are easily distracted—use this to your advantage.
What can you do?
- Avoid watching TV or using mobile devices in front of them.
- Keep activity books, empty boxes, pots, and ladles handy to engage them.
3 – 7 Years: Toddlers & Preschoolers
Cybersafety education should ideally begin when a child starts engaging with screens. At this stage, parents have complete control over what their child watches and for how long.
What can you do?
- Keep screen time limited and fully supervised.
- Introduce basic cybersecurity concepts, such as stranger danger and good picture vs. bad picture.
- Encourage offline activities—educational toys, books, and games.
- Restrict your own screen time when your child is awake to set a good example.
- Set up parental controls and create child-specific accounts on devices.Secure all devices with comprehensive security software.
8 – 12 Years: Primary & Preteens
Cyber-discipline should start now. Strengthen rules, set clear boundaries, and establish consequences for rule violations.
What can you do?
- Increase screen time gradually to accommodate studies, communication, and entertainment.
- Teach them about privacy and the dangers of oversharing personal information.
- Continue stranger-danger education, including safe/unsafe websites and apps.
- Emphasize reviewing T&Cs before downloading apps.Introduce concepts like scams, phishing, deepfakes, and virus attacks using real-life examples.
- Keep banking and credit card credentials private—children may unintentionally share sensitive information.
Cyber Safety Mantras:
- STOP. THINK. ACT.
- Do Not Trust Blindly Online.
13 – 16 Years: The Teenage Phase
Teenagers are likely to resist rules and demand independence, but if cybersecurity has been a part of their upbringing, they will tolerate parental oversight.
What can you do?
- Continue parental controls but allow greater access to previously restricted content.
- Encourage open conversations about digital safety and online threats.
- Respect their need for privacy but remain involved as a silent observer.
- Discuss cyberbullying, harassment, and online reputation management.
- Keep phones out of bedrooms at night and maintain device-free zones during family time.
- Address online relationships and risks like dating scams, sextortion, and trafficking.
16 – 19 Years: The Transition to Adulthood
By this stage, children have developed a sense of responsibility and maturity. It’s time to gradually loosen control while reinforcing good digital habits.
What can you do?
- Monitor their online presence without being intrusive.Maintain open discussions—teens still value parental advice.
- Stay updated on digital trends so you can offer relevant guidance.
- Encourage digital balance by planning device-free family outings.
Final Thoughts
As a parent, your role is not just to set rules but to empower your child to navigate the digital world safely. Lead by example, encourage responsible usage, and create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing online challenges with you.
Wishing you a safe and successful digital parenting journey!
