#FactCheck- AI Video Fuels False Claims of Israeli Soldiers’ Death in Plane Crash

Introduction

As our experiments with Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) continue, companies and individuals look for new ways to incorporate and capitalise on it. This also includes big tech companies betting on their potential through investments. This process also sheds light on how such innovations are being carried out, used, and affect other stakeholders. Google’s AI overview feature has raised concerns from various website publishers and regulators. Recently, Chegg, a US-based tech education company that provides online resources for high school and college students, has filed a lawsuit against Google alleging abuse of monopoly over the searching mechanism.

Legal Background

Google’s AI Overview/Search Generative Experience (SGE) is a feature that incorporates AI into its standard search tool and helps summarise search results. This is then presented at the top, over the other published websites, when one looks for the search result. Although the sources of the information present are linked, they are half-covered, and it is ambiguous to tell which claims made by the AI come from which link. This creates an additional step for the searcher as, to find out the latter, their user interface requires the searcher to click on a drop-down box. Individual publishers and companies like Chegg have argued that such summaries deter their potential traffic and lead to losses as they continue to bid higher for advertisement services that Google offers, only to have their target audience discouraged from visiting their websites. What is unique about the lawsuit that has been filed by Chegg, is that it is based on anti-trust law rather than copyright law, which it has dealt with previously. In August 2024, a US Federal Judge had ruled that Google had an illegal monopoly over internet search and search text advertising markets, and by November, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its proposed remedy. Some of them were giving advertisers and publishers more control of their data flowing through Google’s products, opening Google’s search index to the rest of the market, and imposing public oversight over Google’s AI investments. Currently, the DOJ has emphasised its stand on dismantling the search monopoly through structural separations, i.e., divesting Google of Chrome. The company is slated to defend itself before the DC District Court Judge Amit Mehta starting April 20, 2025.

CyberPeace Insights

As per a report by Statista (Global market share of leading search engines 2015-2025), Google, as the market leader, held a search traffic share of around 89.62 per cent. It is also stated that its advertising services account for the majority of its revenue, which amounted to a total of 305.63 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. The inclusion of the AI feature is undoubtedly changing how we search for things online. Benefits for users include an immediate, convenient scan of general information pertaining to the looked-up subject, but it may also raise concerns on the part of the website publishers and their loss of ad revenue owing to fewer impressions/clicks. Even though links (sources) are mentioned, they are usually buried. Such a searching mechanism questions the incentive on both ends- the user to explore various viewpoints, as people are now satisfied with the first few results that pop up, and the incentive for a creator/publisher to create new content as well as generate an income out of it. There might be a shift to more passive consumption rather than an active one, where one looks up/or is genuinely searching for information.

Conclusion

AI might make life more convenient, but in this case, it might also take away from small businesses, their finances, and the results of their hard work. It is also necessary for regulators, publishers, and users to continue asking such critical questions to keep the accountability of big tech giants in check, whilst not compromising their creations and publications.

References

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/05/13/google-ai-search-io-sge/
• https://www.theverge.com/news/619051/chegg-google-ai-overviews-monopoly
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/google-leans-further-into-ai-generated-overviews-for-its-search-engine/articleshow/118742139.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/technology/google-search-antitrust-judge.html
• https://www.odinhalvorson.com/monopoly-and-misuse-googles-strategic-ai-narrative/
• https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/artificial-intelligence/google-leans-further-into-ai-generated-overviews-for-its-search-engine/118748621
• https://www.techpolicy.press/the-elephant-in-the-room-in-the-google-search-case-generative-ai/
• https://www.karooya.com/blog/proposed-remedies-break-googles-monopoly-antitrust/
• https://getellipsis.com/blog/googles-monopoly-and-the-hidden-brake-on-ai-innovation/
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/266249/advertising-revenue-of-google/#:~:text=Google:%20annual%20advertising%20revenue%202001,local%20products%20are%20more%20preferred.
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/1381664/worldwide-all-devices-market-share-of-search-engines/
• https://www.techpolicy.press/doj-sets-record-straight-of-whats-needed-to-dismantle-googles-search-monopoly/

‍

India’s cities are rapidly embracing digital technologies, transforming the way essential urban services operate. From traffic management and water supply to online grievance redressal, connected systems are making city life more efficient. As the Prime Minister has emphasised, smart cities are not just a fancy  concept; they aim to ensure basic services, including housing and infrastructure for the urban poor, are delivered comprehensively and equitably.

But improved cybersecurity has become essential with th increasing reliance on digital systems in daily life. A single breach in digital public systems could jeopardise citizen data and interrupt vital services. In light of this, MoHUA organised the National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure in collaboration with MHA and MeitY. This is in spirit with the goal of Digital India, which is to create a safer online environment for all.  More than 300 representatives from Central Ministries, National Cybersecurity Agencies, State Governments, State IT and Urban Development Secretaries, Additional Director Generals, Municipal Commissioners, CEOs of Smart Cities, and representatives from organisations like CERT-In, NCIIPC, I4C, and STQC attended the conference.

Key Initiatives Presented

MoHUA showcased a series of city-level cybersecurity initiatives designed to create a common framework for all smart cities. These include:

• Mandatory appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) at city level which maintain and oversee the security of digital infrastructure in smart cites 
• Completion of regular cybersecurity audits to identify and address vulnerabilities in there seem 
• Consistent Risk Management Across Services: A structured approach to risk management will be used so that critical areas like traffic systems, utilities and public services all follow the same high standards of protection.

CISOs and Cybersecurity Frameworks

At the conference,  the Union Home Secretary underscored a clear message: every city needs its own Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) backed by a capable technical team. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. A dedicated CISO brings focus to meeting national security norms, coordinating quick responses to cyber incidents, and lifting the overall level of cyber hygiene in the city.

Naming a single officer also creates accountability and gradually builds local expertise instead of constant dependence on outside consultants. Over time, this leadership position can help cities develop their own in-house capacity to manage the increasingly complex digital systems that keep public services running.

The SPV Dimension: Beyond Implementation

An important theme of the conference was the future of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)(SPVs means government-backed companies set up under the Companies Act, 2013 with joint shareholding between State/UT administrations and Urban Local Bodies to implement the Smart Cities Mission) which have been the implementing arms of the Smart Cities Mission. Drawing from Advisory No. 27 (June 2025), stakeholders discussed repositioning SPVs as dynamic, innovation-driven bodies capable of supporting long-term urban development beyond the initial project phase.

Key points included:

• Expanding SPVs’ role in consultancy, investment facilitation, technology integration, and policy research.
• Ensuring SPVs act as hubs of expertise and innovation, rather than just project managers.
• Aligning SPV functions with the evolving cybersecurity and technology needs of urban local bodies.

This expanded mandate could allow SPVs to become sustainable institutions that continuously support cities in managing digital risks and adopting new technologies responsibly.

Building a Culture of Cyber Preparedness

One clear takeaway from the conference was that cybersecurity can’t just be added on later — it needs to be part of every step in the digital planning process, from purchasing technology and designing systems to daily operations. Experts from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) pointed out that as more government services go online, the potential risks grow, and cities must always be ready to respond. They  highlighted emerging cyber risks linked to the rapid digitisation of governance. 

Some of the practical steps highlighted included regular security audits, penetration testing, staff training, and campaigns to raise awareness among citizens. Equally important to have CISO which lead cybersecurity and  creating strong communication channels between city teams, state agencies, and national cybersecurity bodies, so that information is shared promptly and responses can be coordinated effectively

Conclusion

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive on strengthening cybersecurity in smart cities represents a major milestone in safeguarding India’s urban digital infrastructure and shows the government's proactive step in cybersecurity . By mandating the appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), enforcing regular audits, and promoting structured risk management, the MHA has set clear expectations for city administration. The conference also highlighted the evolving role of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in supporting long-term technological resilience. Embedding cybersecurity at every stage of planning, from system design to daily operations, signals a shift toward a culture of proactive defence. As highlighted by the Intelligence Bureau, emerging cyber risks linked to the rapid digitisation of governance make robust cybersecurity measures the need of the hour for India’s smart cities.

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2146180 
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2135474 
3. https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/pm-narendra-modi-launches-smart-city-projects/articleshow/52916581.cms 
4. https://the420.in/mha-orders-stronger-cybersecurity-in-smart-cities/ 
5. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Sep/20/tighten-cyber-security-measures-in-smart-cities-mha-to-housing-ministry 

‍

Executive Summary

‍

‍
A video showing police personnel dancing on the streets along with civilians is going viral on social media. The clip is being shared with the claim that policemen in West Bengal were celebrating the defeat of Mamata Banerjee and the victory of the BJP.

Research by CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is misleading. The viral video is old and unrelated to the West Bengal elections.

‍

Claim

‍

An X user shared the video on April 26, 2026, alleging that police personnel were celebrating BJP’s victory. The post questioned those raising concerns over EVMs, suggesting that even police were openly rejoicing over the election outcome.

‍

• https://x.com/Minakshishriyan/status/2051490074957930510
• https://archive.is/d81OT

‍

‍

‍

Fact Check

‍

To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to a Reddit post dated September 13, 2022, where the same video was shared. The post described it as footage from Ganesh Visarjan celebrations in India, and several users in the comments identified the location as Maharashtra.

‍

https://www.reddit.com/r/happycrowds/comments/xdhgbo/street_dancing_during_ganesh_visarjan_celebration/

‍

‍

Further research led us to a YouTube channel “Yash Arate Vlogs,” which uploaded the same video on September 10, 2022. The description stated that the clip was recorded during Ganpati immersion celebrations in Kolhapur.

‍

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0_w5t-4rmTY

We also found media reports from September 2022 indicating that during Ganesh Visarjan in Kolhapur, loud music and festive atmosphere led even on-duty police personnel to briefly join the celebrations.

‍

https://zeenews.india.com/marathi/maharashtra/kolhapur-police-dance-video-2022-treading-video-2022-maharashtra-policemen-dance-ganesh-visarjan-in-kolhapur-video-viral-on-social-media/650976

‍

‍

Conclusion

Our research confirms that the viral video does not show any post-election celebration in West Bengal. It is an old clip from Maharashtra, recorded during Ganesh Visarjan festivities, and is being falsely shared with a misleading political claim.

‍