#FactCheck - Uncovered: Viral LA Wildfire Video is a Shocking AI-Generated Fake!

Introduction

Snapchat's Snap Map redefined location sharing with an ultra-personalised feature that allows users to track where they and their friends are, discover hotspots, and even explore events worldwide. In November 2024, Snapchat introduced a new addition to its Family Center, aiming to bolster teen safety. This update enables parents to request and share live locations with their teens, set alerts for specific locations, and monitor who their child shares their location with.

While designed with keeping safety in mind, such tracking tools raise significant privacy concerns. Misusing these features could expose teens to potential harm, amplifying the debate around safeguarding children’s online privacy. This blog delves into the privacy and safety challenges Snap Map poses under existing data protection laws, highlighting critical gaps and potential risks.

Understanding Snapmap: How It Works and Why It’s Controversial

Snap Map, built on technology from Snap's acquisition of social mapping startup Zenly, revolutionises real-time location sharing by letting users track friends, send messages, and explore the world through an interactive map. With over 350 million active users by Q4 2023, and India leading with 202.51 million Snapchat users, Snap Map has become a global phenomenon.

This opt-in feature allows users to customise their location-sharing settings, offering modes like "Ghost Mode" for privacy, sharing with all friends, or selectively with specific contacts. However, location updates occur only when the app is in use, adding a layer of complexity to privacy management.

While empowering users to connect and share, Snap Map’s location-sharing capabilities raise serious concerns. Unintentional sharing or misuse of this tool could expose users—especially teens—to risks like stalking or predatory behaviour. As Snap Map becomes increasingly popular, ensuring its safe use and addressing its potential for harm remains a critical challenge for users and regulators.

The Policy Vacuum: Protecting Children’s Data Privacy

Given the potential misuse of location-sharing features, evaluating the existing regulatory frameworks for protecting children's geolocation privacy is important. Geolocation features remain under-regulated in many jurisdictions, creating opportunities for misuse, such as stalking or unauthorised surveillance. Presently, multiple international and national jurisdictions are in the process of creating and implementing privacy laws. The most notable examples are the COPPA in the US, GDPR in the EU and the DPDP Act which have made considerable progress in privacy for children and their online safety. COPPA and GDPR prioritise children’s online safety through strict data protections, consent requirements, and limits on profiling. India’s DPDP Act, 2023, prohibits behavioral tracking and targeted ads for children, enhancing privacy. However, it lacks safeguards against geolocation tracking, leaving a critical gap in protecting children from risks posed by location-based features.

Balancing Innovation and Privacy: The Role of Social Media Platforms

Privacy is an essential element that needs to be safeguarded and this is specifically important for children as they are vulnerable to harm they cannot always foresee. Social media companies must uphold their responsibility to create platforms that do not become a breeding ground for offences against children. Some of the challenges that platforms face in implementing a safe online environment are robust parental control and consent mechanisms to ensure parents are informed about their children’s online presence and options to opt out of services that they feel are not safe for their children. Platforms need to maintain a level of privacy that allows users to know what data is collected by the platform, sharing and retention data policies. 

Policy Recommendations: Addressing the Gaps

Some of the recommendations for addressing the gaps in the safety of minors are as follows:

• Enhancing privacy and safety for minors by taking measures such as mandatory geolocation restrictions for underage users.
• Integrating clear consent guidelines for data protection for users. 
• Collaboration between stakeholders such as government, social media platforms, and civil society is necessary to create awareness about location-sharing risks among parents and children. 

Conclusion

Safeguarding privacy, especially of children, with the introduction of real-time geolocation tools like Snap Map, is critical. While these features offer safety benefits, they also present the danger of misuse, potentially harming vulnerable teens. Policymakers must urgently update data protection laws and incorporate child-specific safeguards, particularly around geolocation tracking. Strengthening regulations and enhancing parental controls are essential to protect young users. However, this must be done without stifling technological innovation. A balanced approach is needed, where safety is prioritised, but innovation can still thrive. Through collaboration between governments, social media platforms, and civil society, we can create a digital environment that ensures safety and progress.

References

• https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/snapchat-family-center-real-time-location-sharing-travel-notifications-9669270/
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/snapchat-unveils-location-sharing-features-to-safeguard-teen-users/articleshow/115297065.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/snapchat-adds-more-location-safety-features-for-teens/article68871301.ece 
• https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/snapchat-expands-parental-control-with-location-tracking-to-make-it-easier-for-parents-to-track-their-kids-article-12868336.html ‍
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/545967/snapchat-app-dau/

Introduction

Deepfakes are artificial intelligence (AI) technology that employs deep learning to generate realistic-looking but phoney films or images. Algorithms use large volumes of data to analyse and discover patterns in order to provide compelling and realistic results. Deepfakes use this technology to modify movies or photos to make them appear as if they involve events or persons that never happened or existed.The procedure begins with gathering large volumes of visual and auditory data about the target individual, which is usually obtained from publicly accessible sources such as social media or public appearances. This data is then utilised for training a deep-learning model to resemble the target of deep fakes.

Recent Cases of Deepfakes-‍

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In an unusual turn of events, a man from northern China became the victim of a sophisticated deep fake technology. This incident has heightened concerns about using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to aid financial crimes, putting authorities and the general public on high alert.
During a video conversation, a scammer successfully impersonated the victim’s close friend using AI-powered face-swapping technology. The scammer duped the unwary victim into transferring 4.3 million yuan (nearly Rs 5 crore). The fraud occurred in Baotou, China.

AI ‘deep fakes’ of innocent images fuel spike in sextortion scams
Artificial intelligence-generated “deepfakes” are fuelling sextortion frauds like a dry brush in a raging wildfire. According to the FBI, the number of nationally reported sextortion instances came to 322% between February 2022 and February 2023, with a notable spike since April due to AI-doctored photographs. And as per the FBI, innocent photographs or videos posted on social media or sent in communications can be distorted into sexually explicit, AI-generated visuals that are “true-to-life” and practically hard to distinguish. According to the FBI, predators often located in other countries use doctored AI photographs against juveniles to compel money from them or their families or to obtain actual sexually graphic images.

Deepfake Applications

• Lensa AI.
• Deepfakes Web.
• Reface.
• MyHeritage.
• DeepFaceLab.
• Deep Art.
• Face Swap Live.
• FaceApp.

Deepfake examples

There are numerous high-profile Deepfake examples available. Deepfake films include one released by actor Jordan Peele, who used actual footage of Barack Obama and his own imitation of Obama to convey a warning about Deepfake videos.
A video shows Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussing how Facebook ‘controls the future’ with stolen user data, most notably on Instagram. The original video is from a speech he delivered on Russian election meddling; only 21 seconds of that address were used to create the new version. However, the vocal impersonation fell short of Jordan Peele’s Obama and revealed the truth.

The dark side of AI-Generated Misinformation

• Misinformation generated by AI-generated the truth, making it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.
• People can unmask AI content by looking for discrepancies and lacking the human touch.
• AI content detection technologies can detect and neutralise disinformation, preventing it from spreading.

Safeguards against Deepfakes-

Technology is not the only way to guard against Deepfake videos. Good fundamental security methods are incredibly effective for combating Deepfake.For example, incorporating automatic checks into any mechanism for disbursing payments might have prevented numerous Deepfake and related frauds. You might also:

• Regular backups safeguard your data from ransomware and allow you to restore damaged data.
• Using different, strong passwords for different accounts ensures that just because one network or service has been compromised, it does not imply that others have been compromised as well. You do not want someone to be able to access your other accounts if they get into your Facebook account.
• To secure your home network, laptop, and smartphone against cyber dangers, use a good security package such as Kaspersky Total Security. This bundle includes anti-virus software, a VPN to prevent compromised Wi-Fi connections, and webcam security.

What is the future of Deepfake –

Deepfake is constantly growing. Deepfake films were easy to spot two years ago because of the clumsy movement and the fact that the simulated figure never looked to blink. However, the most recent generation of bogus videos has evolved and adapted.
There are currently approximately 15,000 Deepfake videos available online. Some are just for fun, while others attempt to sway your opinion. But now that it only takes a day or two to make a new Deepfake, that number could rise rapidly.

Conclusion-

The distinction between authentic and fake content will undoubtedly become more challenging to identify as technology advances. As a result, experts feel it should not be up to individuals to discover deep fakes in the wild. “The responsibility should be on the developers, toolmakers, and tech companies to create invisible watermarks and signal what the source of that image is,” they stated. Several startups are also working on approaches for detecting deep fakes.

Introduction

As the sun rises on a new chapter in the Indian telecommunications narrative, the corridors of power in New Delhi are abuzz with palpable excitement and a hint of solemnity. Here, a groundbreaking proposal stands before the lawmakers of the Lok Sabha, not simply a proposed amendment or update to an existing statute, but the cornerstone of a reimagined communications epoch—the Telecommunications Bill of 2023. In every sense, this legislative masterpiece embodies a country at the intersection of tradition and innovation, eager to part ways with vestiges of colonial infrastructure that have shaped its modern landscape.

The Origins

Steeped in history, India's telecommunications system has persevered through a patchwork of regulations and ad hoc policies, growing somewhat unwieldy under the shadow of the Indian Telegraph Act (1885), the Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933), and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act (1950). Yet, it is within this context of the old guard, a relic of British administration, that the new Telecommunications Bill seeks to transcend the limitations of the past. It aims to dismantle barriers and create an ecosystem that is fluid, adaptable, and resonant with the rapid cadence of technological advancements and the demands of a population increasingly reliant on digital connectivity.

In crafting this bill, the creators have meticulously knitted together an intricate fabric of vibrant threads, each signifying a pillar of progress. To herald an era of unparalleled growth and dynamism, the bill looks beyond the scope of traditional telecommunication services, boldly embracing the convergence of digital mediums such as wire, radio, and optical fibers, aligning with the modalities of 21st-century communication. The bill’s very essence is innovation, etching a new paradigm through its provisions and signalling India's readiness to interface with the ever-expanding digital frontier.

The Defining Features 

A novel and defining feature of this bill is its departure from a rigid licensing regime. It forges ahead with 'authorizations'—a signifier that resonates with flexibility, adaptability, and a regulatory approach that isn't mired in bureaucratic inertia but is rather an enabler of swift technological adoption and market responsiveness. This transformative philosophy signifies a departure from the byzantine processes of yore, orbiting instead toward an agile governance model that is both responsive to current needs and anticipative of future trends.

The introduction of mandatory biometric authentication for telecom customers articulates an unyielding stance against the rampant misuse of communication networks. Indeed, this measure draws a fine line between the right to privacy and the exigencies of data protection, posing ethical questions that animate public discourse. This balance seeks to thwart unsolicited commercial communication, exemplifying the state's vigil on the sanctuaries of personal space and tranquility.

In addition, the forward-looking bill tactically addresses the strategic use of spectrum resources with an undercurrent of prescience. By granting ‘spectrum assets’ legislative stature through the National Frequency Allocation Plan and enabling operators to adapt through 'refarming', the bill forms a visionary blueprint for resource optimization. It inherently recognizes that bandwidth is not simply a commercial commodity but one that serves the wider canvas of national imperatives, connectivity goals, and developmental aspirations.

Further embodying the dual themes of openness and vigilance, the bill incorporates provisions for interception and the implementation of a 'trusted sources' regime, a tacit acknowledgement of the cybersecurity challenges that loom on the horizon amidst increasing geopolitical strains. These measures exemplify the act of walking a tightrope between the democratic ideals of transparency and the unyielding requirements of state security.

Looking to the skies, the bill embraces satellite technologies, foreseeing their potential in unshackling the remote and marginalized areas from the constraints of terrestrial infrastructure and thus forging a digitally inclusive society. Acknowledging the expanse of the Indian subcontinent, the bill paves the way for an interconnected, digital hinterland via thoughtful satellite spectrum allocations.

Emphasizing the human thread in the digital weave, the reformulation of the Universal Service Obligation Fund into 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' underscores an unwavering commitment to reaching the unreached. It's the crystallization of a promise that every Indian, regardless of geographical and socio-economic divides, will be privy to the lenses of opportunity presented by the digital revolution.

The Watershed Moment 

The introduction of the Telecommunications Bill of 2023 is a watershed moment, a convergence where history and opportunity coalesce, propelling a nation forward with the ambitions of a burgeoning superpower replacing the Indian Telegraph Act (1885), the Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933), and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act (1950). It carries within its articles and clauses the anticipation of a billion dreams, the catalyst to a regulatory environment that nurtures innovation, equality, and a forward leap into the future. 

Conclusion

Through its comprehensive scope and visionary approach, the bill writes a fresh chapter in India's digital saga. It is an unfolding story, pregnant with the possibilities of a nascent digital age, charting a trajectory for an India poised to define its own digital dome of the sky, under which its citizens will thrive for generations to come. With every legislative step, India crafts its legacy, a narrative of evolution, a tableau that reflects the aspirations of its people and their resolve to embrace the force of technology for the collective good. As this bill advances through the legislative labyrinth, it carries the spirit of a digital renaissance nestled in the heart of the world's largest democracy.

References 

• https://www.livemint.com/industry/telecom/new-telecom-bill-set-to-approve-administrative-allocation-for-satellite-broadband-services-11702876066350.html
• https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-telecommunication-bill-2023