#FactCheck - The video of Virat Kohli promoting online casino mobile app is a deep fake.
Executive Summary:
A viral clip where the Indian batsman Virat Kohli is shown endorsing an online casino and declaring a Rs 50,000 jackpot in three days as a guarantee has been proved a fake. In the clip that is accompanied by manipulated captions, Kohli is said to have admitted to being involved in the launch of an online casino during the interview with Graham Bensinger but this is not true. Nevertheless, an investigation showed that the original interview, which was published on YouTube in the last quarter of 2023 by Bensinger, did not have the mentioned words spoken by Kohli. Besides, another AI deepfake analysis tool called Deepware labelled the viral video as a deepfake.
Claims:
The viral video states that cricket star Virat Kohli gets involved in the promotion of an online casino and ensures that the users of the site can make a profit of Rs 50,000 within three days. Conversely, the CyberPeace Research Team has just revealed that the video is a deepfake and not the original and there is no credible evidence suggesting Kohli's participation in such endorsements. A lot of the users are sharing the videos with the wrong info title over different Social Media platforms.
Fact Check:
As soon as we were informed about the news, we made use of Keyword Search to see any news report that could be considered credible about Virat Kohli promoting any Casino app and we found nothing. Therefore, we also used Reverse Image Search for Virat Kohli wearing a Black T-shirt as seen in the video to find out more about the subject. We landed on a YouTube Video by Graham Bensinger, an American Journalist. The clip of the viral video was taken from this original video.
In this video, he discussed his childhood, his diet, his cricket training, his marriage, etc. but did not mention anything regarding a newly launched Casino app by the cricketer.
Through close scrutiny of the viral video we have noticed some inconsistencies in the lip-sync and voice. Subsequently, we executed Deepfake Detection in Deepware tool and identified it to be Deepfake Detected.
Finally, we affirm that the Viral Video Is Deepfakes Video and the statement made is False.
Conclusion:
The video has gone viral and claims that cricketer Virat Kohli is the one endorsing an online casino and assuring you that in three days time you will be a guaranteed winner of Rs 50,000. This is all a fake story. This incident demonstrates the necessity of checking facts and a source before believing any information, as well as remaining sceptical about deepfakes and AI (artificial intelligence), which is a new technology used nowadays for spreading misinformation.
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Executive Summary:
A video of India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is going viral on social media. The post claims that Rajnath Singh is openly supporting Israeli-American attacks against Iran. In the video, he can allegedly be heard saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Israel before the war began and warned Tehran that disturbing peace would have serious consequences.
Research by CyberPeace found that the viral video is a deepfake created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Rajnath Singh has not made any such statement about Iran or the Israel-US conflict.
Claim
A Facebook user “Sheikh Sadeque Ali” shared the video on March 2, 2026. The caption of the post reads, “Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is supporting Israel’s attack on Iran. This clearly shows that India supports the killing of Muslims.”
In the viral video, Rajnath Singh appears to say in English: “Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel before the attack on Iran reflects India’s solidarity with its strategic partner… He warned Tehran that hostile actions would have serious consequences for regional peace.”
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. During the research , we found the original video on Rajnath Singh’s official YouTube channel. The video was uploaded on November 23, 2025.In the original video, Rajnath Singh was addressing a Sindhi community conference in Delhi. During his speech, he was talking about Sindhi culture and the history of Partition. He did not mention Israel, Iran or any Middle East conflict during the entire program.
Upon closely examining the viral video, technical inconsistencies between the lip movements and the audio (lip-sync discrepancies) can be observed, which strongly indicate that the video may have been generated using AI. To verify this, we analysed the clip using several AI-detection tools. The AI detection tool Hive Moderation indicated that the video has a 99% probability of being AI-generated.
Conclusion:
Our research found that the viral video of Rajnath Singh is a deepfake. He has not made any statement supporting Israel or opposing Iran. The original video is from a Sindhi community event in Delhi, which has been digitally altered using AI to spread a misleading claim.
In an exciting milestone achieved by CyberPeace, an ICANN APRALO At-Large organization, in collaboration with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), has successfully deployed and made operational an L-root server instance in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing the resilience, speed, and security of internet connectivity in eastern India.
Understanding the DNS hierarchy – Starting from Root
Internet users access online information through different domain names and interactions with any web browser takes place through IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. Domain Name System (DNS) functions as the internet's equivalent of Yellow Pages or the phonebook of cyberspace. When a person uses a domain name like www.cyberpeace.org to access a website, their browser communicates with the internet protocol, and DNS converts the domain name to the corresponding IP address so that web browsers may load the web pages. The function of a DNS is to convert domain names to Internet Protocol addresses. It enables the respective browsers to load the resources from the Internet.
When a user types a domain name into your browser, a DNS query works behind the scenes to find the website’s IP address. First, your device asks a DNS resolver—often provided by your ISP or a third-party service—for the address. The resolver checks its cache for a match, and if none is found, it queries a root server to locate the top-level domain (TLD) server (like .com or .org). The resolver then asks the TLD server for the Authoritative nameserver responsible for the particular domain, which provides the specific IP address. Finally, the resolver sends this address back to your device, enabling it to connect to the website’s server and load the page. The entire process happens in milliseconds, ensuring seamless browsing.
Special focus on Root Server:
A root server is a name server that directly answers queries for records in the root zone and redirects requests for more specific domains to the appropriate top-level domain (TLD) servers. Root servers are an integral part of this system, acting as the first step in resolving a domain name into its corresponding IP address. They provide the initial direction needed to locate the authoritative servers for any domain.
The DNS root zone is served by 13 unique IP addresses, supported by hundreds of redundant root servers distributed worldwide connected through Anycast Routing to manage requests efficiently. As of January 8, 2025, the global root server system consists of 1921 instances operated by 12 independent root server operators. These servers ensure the smooth functioning of the internet by managing the backbone of DNS queries.
Type of Root Server Instances:
Well, in this regard, there are two types of root server instances that can be found– Global instance and Local instance.
Global root server instances are the primary root servers distributed strategically around the world. Local instances, on the other hand, are replicas of these global servers deployed in specific regions to handle local DNS traffic more efficiently. In each operator's list of sites, some instances are marked as global (globe icon) and some are marked as local (flag icon). The difference is in how widely available that instance will be, because of how routing for that instance is done. Recall that the routes for an instance are announced by BGP, the inter-domain routing protocol.
For global instances, the route advertisement is permitted to spread throughout the Internet, i.e., any router on the Internet could know the path to that instance. Of course, for a particular source, the route to that instance may not be the optimal route, so some other instance could be chosen as the destination.
With a local instance, however, the route advertisement is limited to only nearby networks. For example, the instance may be visible to just one ISP, or to ISPs that connect at a particular exchange point. Sources from farther away will not be able to see and query that local instance.
Deployment in Ranchi - The Journey & Significance:
CyberPeace in Collaboration with ICANN has successfully deployed an L-root server instance in Ranchi, marking a significant milestone in enhancing regional Internet infrastructure. This deployment, part of a global network of root servers, ensures faster and more reliable DNS query resolution for the region, reducing latency and enhancing cybersecurity.
The Journey of deploying the L-Root instance in Collaboration with ICANN followed the steps-
- Signing the Agreement: Finalized the L-SINGLE Hosting Agreement with ICANN to formalize the partnership.
- Procuring the Hardware: Acquired the required hardware appliance to meet technical standards for hosting the L-root server.
- Setup and Installation: Configured and installed the appliance to prepare it for seamless operation.
- Joining the Anycast Network: Integrated the server into ICANN's global Anycast network using BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) for efficient DNS traffic management.
The deployment of the L-root server in Ranchi marks a significant boost to the region’s digital ecosystem. It accelerates DNS query resolution, reducing latency and enhancing internet speed and reliability for users.
This instance strengthens cyber defenses by mitigating Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) risks and managing local traffic efficiently. It also underscores Eastern India’s advanced digital infrastructure, aligning with initiatives like Digital India to meet evolving digital demands.
By handling local queries, the L-root server eases the load on global servers, contributing to a more stable and resilient global internet.
CyberPeace’s Commitment to a Secure and resilient Cyberspace
As an organization dedicated to promoting peace, security and resilience in cyberspace, CyberPeace views this collaboration with ICANN as a significant achievement in its mission. By strengthening the internet’s backbone in eastern India, this deployment underscores our commitment to enabling a secure, accessible, and resilient digital ecosystem.
Way forward and Roadmap for Strengthening India’s DNS Infrastructure:
The successful deployment of the L-root instance in Ranchi is a stepping stone toward bolstering India's digital ecosystem. CyberPeace aims to promote awareness about DNS infrastructure through workshops and seminars, emphasizing its critical role in a resilient digital future.
With plans to deploy more such root server instances across India, the focus is on expanding local DNS infrastructure to enhance efficiency and security. Collaborative efforts with government agencies, ISPs, and tech organizations will drive this vision forward. A robust monitoring framework will ensure optimal performance and long-term sustainability of these initiatives.
Conclusion
The deployment of the L-root server instance in Eastern India represents a monumental step toward strengthening the region’s digital foundation. As Ranchi joins the network of cities hosting root server instances, the benefits will extend not only to the local community but also to the global internet ecosystem. With this milestone, CyberPeace reaffirms its commitment to driving innovation and resilience in cyberspace, paving the way for a more connected and secure future.
In the 21st century, wars are no longer confined to land, sea, and air. Rather, they are increasingly playing out across the digital domain, where effective dominance over networks, data, and communications determines who holds the upper hand. Among these, 5G networks are becoming a defining factor on modern battlefields. The ultra-low latency, massive bandwidth capability, and the ability to connect many devices at a single time are transforming the scale and level of military operations, intelligence, and logistics. This unprecedented connectivity is also met with a host of cybersecurity vulnerabilities that the governments and the militaries have to address.
As India faces a challenging security environment, the emergence of 5G presents both an opportunity and a dilemma. On one hand, it can enhance our command, control, surveillance and battlefield coordination. On the other hand, it also exposes the military and the security establishments to risks of espionage and supply chain vulnerabilities. So in this case, it will be important to strike a balance between innovation and security for turning 5G into a strength rather than a liability.
How can 5G networks be a military asset?
In comparison to its predecessors, 5G is not just about faster downloads. Rather, it is a complete overhaul of network architectures that are designed to support services and technologies according to modern technological requirements. In terms of military application of 5G networks, it can prove a series of game-changing capabilities, such as:-
- Enhanced Command and Control in the form of real-time data sharing between troops, UAVs, Radar systems and the Command Cells to ensure a faster and coordinated decision-making approach.
- Tactical Situational Awareness with the help of 5G-enabled devices can give soldiers instant updates on the terrain, troop movements, or positions and enemy movements.
- Advanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) with high-resolution sensors, radars and UAVs that can operate at their full potential by transmitting vast data streams with minimal legacy.
However, 5G networks can also help to become a key component of the communication component of the military command establishments that would allow machines, sensors and human operators to function as a single and integrated force.
Understanding the importance of 5G networks as the Double-Edged Swords of Connectivity-
The potential of 5G is undeniable, but its vulnerabilities cannot be ignored. Because they are software-driven and reliant on dense networks of small cells. For the military, this shows that adversaries could exploit their weaknesses to disrupt the communication, jam signals, and intercept sensitive data, leaving behind some key risks, such as;
- Cybersecurity threats from software-based architectures make 5G networks prone to malware and data breaches.
- Supply chain risks can arise from reliance on foreign hardware and software components with raising fears of embedded backdoors or compromised systems.
- Signal jamming and interface in terms of millimetre-wave spectrum, 5G signals are vulnerable to disruption in contested environments.
- There can also be insider threats and physical sabotage over personnel or unsecured installations that could compromise network integrity.
Securing the Backbone: Cyber Defence Imperatives
To safeguard 5G networks as the backbone for future warfare, the defence establishments need to adopt a layered, proactive cybersecurity strategy. Several measures can be considered, such as;
- Ensuring robust encryption and authentication to protect sensitive data, which requires the installation of advanced protocols like Subscription Concealed Identifiers and zero-trust frameworks to eliminate implicit trust.
- Investing in domestic R&D for 5G components to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. India’s adoption of the 5Gi standard is a step in this direction, but upgrading it into a military grade remains vital.
- To ensure collaboration across different sectors, the defence forces need to work with civilian agencies and private telecoms support providers to create unified standards and best practices.
Thus, with embedding cybersecurity into every layer of the 5G architecture, India can work in the direction to reduce risks to maintain its operational resilience.
The geopolitical domains of 5G Network as a tool of warfare-
The introduction of 5G networks has definitely come as a tool of technological advancement in the communication sector. But at the same time, it has also posed a geopolitical context as well. The strategic competition between the US and China to dominate the 5G infrastructure has global security implications. For India, aligning closely with either of the blocs will pose a risk to its strategic autonomy, but pursuing non-alignment can give India some leverage to develop its capability on its own.
In this case, partnerships with the QUAD with the US, Japan and Australia can open avenues for cooperating on shared standards, cost sharing, and interoperability in 5G-enabled military systems. Learning from countries like the US and Israel, which are developing their defence communication and network infrastructure to secure 5G networks, or revisiting existing frameworks like COMCASA or BECA with the US can serve as platforms to explore joint protocols for 5G networks.
Conclusion: Opportunities and the way forward-
The 5G network is becoming a part of the central nervous system of the future battlefields. It can offer immense opportunities for India to modernise its defence capabilities and enhance the situational awareness by integrating AI-driven systems. The future lies in adopting a balanced strategy by developing indigenous capabilities, forging trusted partnerships, embedding cybersecurity into every layer of the networking architecture and preparing a skilled workforce to analyse and counter evolving threats. However, by adopting a foresighted preparedness, India can turn the double-edged sword of 5G into a decisive advantage by ensuring that it not only adapts to the digital battlefield, rather India can also lead it.
References
- https://chanakyaforum.com/5g-poised-to-usher-in-a-paradigm-shift-in-military-communications
- https://www.ijert.org/secure-5g-network-architecture-for-armed-forces
- https://www.airforce-technology.com/sponsored/data-is-becoming-more-powerful-than-any-weaponry-on-the-battlefield-and-5g-is-the-backbone/
- https://www.upguard.com/blog/how-5g-technology-affects-cybersecurity
- https://agileblue.com/exploring-the-impact-of-5g-technology-on-cybersecurity-practices/
