#FactCheck - Viral Video Falsely Linked to India; Actually from Bangladesh

Introduction

The fast-paced development of technology and the wider use of social media platforms have led to the rapid dissemination of misinformation with characteristics such as diffusion, fast propagation speed, wide influence, and deep impact through these platforms. Social Media Algorithms and their decisions are often perceived as a black box introduction that makes it impossible for users to understand and recognise how the decision-making process works. 

Social media algorithms may unintentionally promote false narratives that garner more interactions, further reinforcing the misinformation cycle and making it harder to control its spread within vast, interconnected networks. Algorithms judge the content based on the metrics, which is user engagement. It is the prerequisite for algorithms to serve you the best. Hence, algorithms or search engines enlist relevant items you are more likely to enjoy. This process, initially, was created to cut the clutter and provide you with the best information. However, sometimes it results in unknowingly widespread misinformation due to the viral nature of information and user interactions. 

Analysing the Algorithmic Architecture of Misinformation

Social media algorithms, designed to maximize user engagement, can inadvertently promote misinformation due to their tendency to trigger strong emotions, creating echo chambers and filter bubbles. These algorithms prioritize content based on user behaviour, leading to the promotion of emotionally charged misinformation. Additionally, the algorithms prioritize content that has the potential to go viral, which can lead to the spread of false or misleading content faster than corrections or factual content.

Additionally, popular content is amplified by platforms, which spreads it faster by presenting it to more users. Limited fact-checking efforts are particularly difficult since, by the time they are reported or corrected, erroneous claims may have gained widespread acceptance due to delayed responses. Social media algorithms find it difficult to distinguish between real people and organized networks of troll farms or bots that propagate false information. This creates a vicious loop where users are constantly exposed to inaccurate or misleading material, which strengthens their convictions and disseminates erroneous information through networks.

Though algorithms, primarily, aim to enhance user engagement by curating content that aligns with the user's previous behaviour and preferences. Sometimes this process leads to "echo chambers," where individuals are exposed mainly to information that reaffirms their beliefs which existed prior, effectively silencing dissenting voices and opposing viewpoints. This curated experience reduces exposure to diverse opinions and amplifies biased and polarising content, making it arduous for users to discern credible information from misinformation. Algorithms feed into a feedback loop that continuously gathers data from users' activities across digital platforms, including websites, social media, and apps. This data is analysed to optimise user experiences, making platforms more attractive. While this process drives innovation and improves user satisfaction from a business standpoint, it also poses a danger in the context of misinformation. The repetitive reinforcement of user preferences leads to the entrenchment of false beliefs, as users are less likely to encounter fact-checks or corrective information.

Moreover, social networks and their sheer size and complexity today exacerbate the issue. With billions of users participating in online spaces, misinformation spreads rapidly, and attempting to contain it—such as by inspecting messages or URLs for false information—can be computationally challenging and inefficient. The extensive amount of content that is shared daily means that misinformation can be propagated far quicker than it can get fact-checked or debunked.

Understanding how algorithms influence user behaviour is important to tackling misinformation. The personalisation of content, feedback loops, the complexity of network structures, and the role of superspreaders all work together to create a challenging environment where misinformation thrives. Hence, highlighting the importance of countering misinformation through robust measures. 

The Role of Regulations in Curbing Algorithmic Misinformation

The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) applicable in the EU is one of the regulations that aims to increase the responsibilities of tech companies and ensure that their algorithms do not promote harmful content. These regulatory frameworks play an important role they can be used to establish mechanisms for users to appeal against the algorithmic decisions and ensure that these systems do not disproportionately suppress legitimate voices. Independent oversight and periodic audits can ensure that algorithms are not biased or used maliciously. Self-regulation and Platform regulation are the first steps that can be taken to regulate misinformation. By fostering a more transparent and accountable ecosystem, regulations help mitigate the negative effects of algorithmic misinformation, thereby protecting the integrity of information that is shared online. In the Indian context, the Intermediary Guidelines, 2023, Rule 3(1)(b)(v) explicitly prohibits the dissemination of misinformation on digital platforms. The ‘Intermediaries’ are obliged to ensure reasonable efforts to prevent users from hosting, displaying, uploading, modifying, publishing, transmitting, storing, updating, or sharing any information related to the 11 listed user harms or prohibited content. This rule aims to ensure platforms identify and swiftly remove misinformation, and false or misleading content.

Cyberpeace Outlook

Understanding how algorithms prioritise content will enable users to critically evaluate the information they encounter and recognise potential biases. Such cognitive defenses can empower individuals to question the sources of the information and report misleading content effectively. In the future of algorithms in information moderation, platforms should evolve toward more transparent, user-driven systems where algorithms are optimised not just for engagement but for accuracy and fairness. Incorporating advanced AI moderation tools, coupled with human oversight can improve the detection and reduction of harmful and misleading content. Collaboration between regulatory bodies, tech companies, and users will help shape the algorithms landscape to promote a healthier, more informed digital environment.

References:

• https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/misformation-spreads-like-a-nuclear-reaction-on-the-internet/
• https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/09/want-to-fight-misinformation-teach-people-how-algorithms-work/ 
• Press Release: Press Information Bureau (pib.gov.in) 

‍

Introduction

Google India announced sachet loans on the Google Pay application to help small businesses in the country. Google India said that merchants in India often need smaller loans, hence, the tech giant launched sachet loans on the Gpay application. The company will provide loans to small businesses, which can be repaid in easier repayment instalments. To provide the load services, Google Pay has partnered with DMI Finance. This move comes at the Google for India, 2023, the flagship event to launch the Indian interventions planned by the big tech. 

What is a Sachet Loan? 

The loan system is the primary backbone of the global banking system. Since we have seen a massive transition towards the digital mode of transactions and banking operations, many online platforms have emerged. With the advent of QR codes, the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) has been rampantly used by Indians for making small or petty payments. Seeing this, Sachet loans made an advent as well, Sachet loans are essentially small-ticket loans ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh, with repayment tenures between 7 days and 12 months. This nano-credit addresses immediate financial needs and is designed for swift approval and disbursement. Satchel loans are one of the most sought-after loan forms in the Western world. The ease of accessibility and easy repayment options have made it a successful form of money lending, which in turn has sparked the interest of the tech giant Google to execute similar operations in India. 

Google Pay

Pertaining to the fact that UPI payments are the most preferred form of online payment, google came out with GPay in 2013 and now enjoys a user base of 67 million Indians. Google Pay has a 36.10% mobile application market share in India, and 26% of the UPI payments made have been through Google Pay. Google Pay adoption for in-store payments in India was higher in 2023 than it was in early 2019, signalling a growing use among consumers. The numbers shown here refer to the share of respondents who indicated they used Google Pay in the last 12 months, either for POS transactions with a mobile device in stores and restaurants or for online shopping. Eight out of 10 respondents from India indicated they had used Google Pay in a POS setting between April 2022 and March 2023, with an additional seven out of 10 saying they used Google Pay during this same time for online payments.

Pertaining to the Indian spectrum, the following aspects should be kept into consideration: 

• PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm accounted for nearly 96% of all UPI transactions by value in March
• PhonePe remained the top UPI app, processing 407.63 Cr transactions worth INR 7.07 Lakh Cr
• While Google Pay and Paytm retained second and third positions, respectively, Amazon Pay pushed CRED to the fifth spot in terms of the number of transactions
• Walmart-owned PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm continued their dominance in India’s UPI payments space, together processing 94% of payments in March 2023.
• According to data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the top three apps accounted for nearly 96% of all UPI transactions by value. This translates to about 841.91 Cr transactions worth INR 13.44 Lakh Cr between the three apps.

Conclusion

The big tech giant Google.org has been fundamental in creating and provisioning best-in-class services which are easily accessible to all the netizens. Satchel loans are the new services introduced by the platform and the widespread access of Gpay will go a long way in providing financial services and ease to the deprived and needy lot of the Indian population. This transition can also be seen by other payment portals like Paypal and Paytm, which clearly shows India's massive potential in leading the world of online banking and UPI transactions. As per stats, 40% of global online banking transactions take place in India. These aspects, coupled with the cores of Digital India and Make in India, clearly show how India is the global destination for investment in the current era.  

References

• https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/google-enters-retail-loan-business-in-india-11697697999246.html
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/1389649/google-pay-adoption-in-india/#:~:text=Eight%20out%20of%2010%20respondents,same%20time%20for%20online%20payments
• https://playtoday.co/blog/stats/google-pay-statistics/#:~:text=67%20million%20active%20users%20of%20Google%20Pay%20are%20in%20India.&text=Google%20Pay%20users%20in%20India,in%2Dstore%20and%20online%20purchases.
• https://inc42.com/buzz/phonepe-google-pay-paytm-process-94-of-upi-transactions-march-2023/

‍

‍

Data localisation refers to restrictions in the data flow by limiting the physical storage and processing of data within a given jurisdiction’s boundaries.  

An obvious benefit contributing to the importance of data localisation is the privacy benefits it offers. In addition to this, data localisation also has the potential to safeguard sensitive data and decrease the probability of cyber-attacks. In India, data localisation has become a key issue in the last decade due to the increase in the discourse for data privacy. 

The Legal Framework in India

India passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 which directs the data fiduciaries (collectors and processors of digital personal data) to store the data of Indian citizens within India. This push for data localisation aligns with India’s position to enhance privacy, national security and regulatory control. It further requires data fiduciaries to adhere to the principles of data minimisation, purposeful limitation and consent of the data principles. Further, Section 17 of the Act prohibits the transfer of sensitive personal data to foreign jurisdictions unless they meet satisfactory privacy protection standards. 

The Reserve Bank of India, via a circular for Payments Data Regulation in 2018, has mandated that all payment data be stored in India, though it can be processed abroad. It requires the telecom sector to ensure local storage and local processing of subscriber information. It further prohibits the transferring of subscribers’ account information overseas.

MeitY’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, emphasise data localisation, specifically when it involves government or critical data. The main idea behind this is that data related to Indian citizens or government activities should remain accessible to Indian law enforcement agencies and is not subject to external jurisdiction.

Common Misinformation about Data Localisation and its Impact

Misconceptions fuel misinformation and influence public perception and policy debates. A common misconception is that all data must be stored in India. It should be noted that non-critical and non-sensitive data are not subject to localisation, and can be cleared for cross-border transfers under specific circumstances.

Another misconception is that data localisation alone ensures complete security. A robust cybersecurity approach, infrastructure and capabilities are what guarantee security and this holds true regardless of the location of where the data is stored. 

The notion that small businesses and startups will suffer the most is untrue. While data localisation policies may lead to increased costs, they foster innovation in the domestic infrastructure and services. This potentially fuels development and innovation in these small businesses and startups. Claims that data localisation will stifle global business are unfounded. 

Proper regulations for data transfers can help balance data flows, enabling international trade while ensuring data sovereignty.

Real Impact of Data Localisation

Data localisation impacts several domains and has both positive and negative outcomes.

• It can be a driver for investment in local data centres and infrastructure, thereby inducing employment generation and boosting the domestic economy. And in contrast, the compliance costs may rise especially for MNCs that need to maintain multiple data storage systems. 
• It can expedite the growth of local technology ecosystems while encouraging innovation in cloud computing and data storage solutions. On the other hand, small businesses might face struggles to afford the required infrastructure updates and upgrades.
• Law enforcement agencies will be able to gain access to data more swiftly while avoiding lengthy processes such as the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs). However, it should be noted that storing data locally does not automatically ensure that they are immune from attacks and breaches.
• A balance between sovereignty and global partnerships is a challenge that emerges with data localisation. International Trade Relationships are vulnerable to data localisations where countries favour a free data flow. This can hamper foreign collaborations with companies that rely on global data systems.

CyberPeace Outlook

It is important to clear misinformation about data localisation, some strategies that can be undertaken are:

• Launching public awareness campaigns to educate the stakeholders about the real requirements and the benefits of data localisation. Misinformation about data restrictions and security guarantees should be tackled fairly quickly. 
• A balanced approach that promotes local economic development while at the same time allowing for the necessary cross-border data flows and creating a flexible and friendly business environment is important.
• India should work on international frameworks to streamline the process of data-sharing with other nations. This would protect national interests while making global cooperation easier.

Conclusion

Data localisation in India presents a valuable opportunity to enhance privacy, bolster national security, and stimulate economic growth through local infrastructure investment. Yet, addressing common misconceptions is crucial; the belief that all data must be stored domestically or that localisation alone ensures security is misleading. 

It’s vital to pair local data storage with robust cybersecurity measures and foster international cooperation. Supporting small businesses, which may face challenges due to localisation requirements, is equally important. By addressing misinformation, promoting flexible regulations, and working towards global data-sharing frameworks, India can effectively manage the complexities of data localisation, safeguarding national interests while encouraging innovation and economic development. 

References

• https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/are-data-localisation-requirements-necessary-and-proportionate/article66131957.ece 
• https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2021/04/how-would-data-localization-benefit-india?lang=en
• https://www.rbi.org.in/commonperson/English/Scripts/FAQs.aspx?Id=2995
• https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Information%20Technology%20%28Intermediary%20Guidelines%20and%20Digital%20Media%20Ethics%20Code%29%20Rules%2C%202021%20%28updated%2006.04.2023%29-.pdf