#FactCheck- Viral Video Misleadingly Linked to Alleged Israeli Strike on Iran

Introduction

On April 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment that cast a sharp light on one of the most overlooked yet pressing issues in modern governance—digital inequity. In a country that has a staggering 900 million Internet users, the ruling highlights a disheartening reality, a paradox that brings the “digital divide” to centre stage. While India may be the world’s second-largest online market, a significant segment of its population remains digitally disenfranchised. The judgment, delivered in response to two interconnected petitions, underscored that access to the internet is no longer a luxury but a lifeline integral to exercising fundamental rights. The court pointed out in clear terms that the government must build a digital ecosystem that is inclusive and accessible to all and attributed the right to digital access as an intrinsic part of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 as enshrined under the Indian Constitution. 

Understanding the Context: What Prompted the Petitions? 

The judgment springs out of two writ petitions, which sought instructions or guidelines for people with blindness or limited vision and acid attack survivors, respectively, to conduct digital Know Your Customer (KYC)/e-KYC/video KYC mandated by RBI’s KYC Master Directions, 2016, which were reserved for judgment on January 28. The court delivered the judgment on April 30, 2025, emphasising the fact that true inclusion in this digital era is confounded in an inclusive digital infrastructure, and it must provide reasonable accommodation to those who face impediments due to any disability or disfigurement. 

In consonance with its view, it laid down various guidelines that ensure that all persons with disabilities or acid attack survivors are treated even when digital processes are involved in accordance with the provisions of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as “RPwD Act”)

Another major observation made by the Honourable SC judges is that the mode of facilitation of government services is through digital platforms, i.e., e-governance, and access to all these welfare schemes is the right of every citizen, irrespective of the fact that they suffer from any disability. The failure of the provisioning of e-governance of these facilities to these individuals is a gross failure of the objectives of these schemes. 

Key Observations and Directives

The court directed the government to release fresh guidelines that establish alternative methods to conduct digital KYC/e-KYC for all persons who suffer any impairment, low vision, or disfigurement with greater sensitivity, particularly for acid-attack survivors. The court made its intention very clear that the right to digital access is intrinsic to the right to life and liberty. All the tasks that are included within the ambit of digital KYC, such as pen-on-paper signatures, screen signatures, and the brief window for OTP entry, create an inaccessible and exclusionary framework, violating not just the dignity but the legal rights granted protection under the RPwD Act, 2016. The ruling directs a fundamental reimagining of digital governance through the lens of inclusion, equality, and dignity. 

Conclusion

The court is not mincing its words when it declares digital accessibility as a constitutional imperative; it has made it clear that bridging the digital divide is no longer optional but a legal duty. The decision marks the new beginning and a propeller of digital transformation, and a delightful amalgamation of digital access and the rights of people. The effect of this judgment will not be restricted to one class of people. Still, it will cater to all those individuals who face these obstacles on a daily basis due to the exclusionary nature of digital platforms. 

References

• https://www.livelaw.in/supreme-court/right-to-digital-access-part-of-article-21-supreme-court-directs-to-make-ekyc-process-accessible-to-persons-with-disabilities-290778

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Introduction

In the era of the internet where everything is accessible at your fingertip, a disturbing trend is on the rise- over 90% of websites containing child abuse material now have self-generated images, obtained from victims as young as three years old. A shocking revelation, shared by the (IWF) internet watch foundation, The findings of the IWF have caused concern about the increasing exploitation of children below the age of 10. The alarming trend highlights the increasing exploitation of children under the age of 10, who are coerced, blackmailed, tricked, or groomed into participating in explicit acts online. The IWF's data for 2023 reveals a record-breaking 275,655 websites hosting child sexual abuse material, with 92% of them containing such "self-generated" content.

Disturbing Tactics Shift

Disturbing numbers came that, highlight a distressing truth. In 2023, 275,655 websites were discovered to hold child sexual abuse content, reaching a new record and reflecting an alarming 8% increase over the previous year. What's more concerning is that 92% of these websites had photos or videos generated by the website itself. Surprisingly, 107,615 of these websites had content involving children under the age of ten, with 2,500 explicitly featuring youngsters aged three to six.

Profound worries

Deep concern about the rising incidence of images taken by extortion or coercion from elementary school-aged youngsters. This footage is currently being distributed on very graphic and specialised websites devoted to child sexual assault. The process begins in a child's bedroom with the use of a camera and includes the exchange, dissemination, and gathering of explicit content by devoted and determined persons who engage in sexual exploitation. These criminals are ruthless. The materials are being circulated via mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, and social media platforms, (WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, etc.) 

Live Streaming of such material involves real-time broadcast which again is a major concern as the nature of the internet is borderless the access to such material is international, national, and regional, which even makes it difficult to get the predators and convict them. With the growth, it has become easy for predators to generate “self-generated “images or videos.

Financial Exploitation in the Shadows: The Alarming Rise of Sextortion

Looking at the statistics globally there have been studies that show an extremely shocking pattern known as “sextortion”, in which adolescents are targeted for extortion and forced to pay money under the threat of exposing images to their families or relatives and friends or on social media. The offender's goal is to obtain sexual gratification.

The financial variation of sextortion takes a darker turn, with criminals luring kids into making sexual content and then extorting them for money. They threaten to reveal the incriminating content unless their cash demands, which are frequently made in the form of gift cards, mobile payment services, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies, are satisfied. In this situation, the predators are primarily driven by money gain, but the psychological impact on their victims is as terrible. A shocking case was highlighted where an 18-year-old was landed in jail for blackmailing a young girl, sending indecent images and videos to threaten her via Snapchat. The offender was pleaded guilty. 

The Question on Security?

The introduction of end-to-end encryption in platforms like Facebook Messenger has triggered concerns within law enforcement agencies. While enhancing user privacy, critics argue that it may inadvertently facilitate criminal activities, particularly the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The alignment with other encrypted services is seen as a potential challenge, making it harder to detect and investigate crimes, thus raising questions about finding a balance between privacy and public safety.

One of the major concerns in the online safety of children is the implementation of encryption by asserting that it enhances the security of individuals, particularly children, by safeguarding them from hackers, scammers, and criminals. They underscored their dedication to enforcing safety protocols, such as prohibiting adults from texting teenagers who do not follow them and employing technology to detect and counteract bad conduct.

These distressing revelations highlight the urgent need for comprehensive action to protect our society's most vulnerable citizens i.e., children, youngsters, and adolescents throughout the era of digital progress. As experts and politicians grapple with these troubling trends, the need for action to safeguard kids online becomes increasingly urgent.

Role of Technology in Combating Online Exploitation 

With the rise of technology, there has been a rise in online child abuse, technology also serves as a powerful tool to combat it. The advanced algorithms and use of Artificial intelligence tools can be used to disseminate ‘self-generated’ images. Additional tech companies can collaborate and develop some effective solutions to safeguard every child and individual.  

Role of law enforcement agencies

Child abuse knows no borders, and addressing the issues requires legal intervention at all levels. National, regional, and international law enforcement agencies investigate online child sexual exploitation and abuse and cooperate in the investigation of these cybercrimes, Various investigating agencies need to have mutual legal assistance and extradition, bilateral, and multilateral conventions to conduct to identify, investigate, and prosecute perpetrators of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Apart from this cooperation between private and government agencies is important, sharing the database of perpetrators can help the agencies to get them caught.

How do you safeguard your children?

Looking at the present scenario it has become a crucial part of protecting and safeguarding our children online against online child abuse here are some practical steps that can help in safeguarding your loved one.

1. Open communication:  Establish open communication with your children, make them feel comfortable, and share your experiences with them, make them understand what good internet surfing is and educate them about the possible risks without generating fear.
2. Teach Online Safety:  educate your children about the importance of privacy and the risks associated with it. Teach them strong privacy habits like not sharing any personal information with a stranger on any social media platform. Teach them to create some unique passwords and to make them aware not to click on any suspicious links or download files from unknown sources. 
3. Set boundaries: As a parent set rules and guidelines for internet usage, set time limits, and monitor their online activities without infringing their privacy. Monitor their social media platforms and discuss inappropriate behaviour or online harassment. As a parent take an interest in your children's online activities, websites, and apps inform them, and teach them online safety measures.

Conclusion

The predominance of self-generated' photos in online child abuse content necessitates immediate attention and coordinated action from governments, technology corporations, and society as a whole. As we negotiate the complicated environment of the digital age, we must be watchful, modify our techniques, and collaborate to defend the innocence of the most vulnerable among us. To combat online child exploitation, we must all work together to build a safer, more secure online environment for children all around the world.

References

• https://www.the420.in/over-90-of-websites-containing-child-abuse-feature-self-generated-images-warns-iwf/
• https://news.sky.com/story/self-generated-images-found-on-92-of-websites-containing-child-sexual-abuse-with-victims-as-young-as-three-13049628
• https://www.firstpost.com/world/russia-rejects-us-proposal-to-resume-talks-on-nuclear-arms-control-13630672.html
• https://www.news4hackers.com/iwf-warns-that-more-than-90-of-websites-contain-self-generated-child-abuse-images/

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Introduction

Empowering today’s youth with the right skills is more crucial than ever in a rapidly evolving digital world. Every year on July 15th, the United Nations marks World Youth Skills Day to emphasise the critical role of skills development in preparing young people for meaningful work and resilient futures. As AI transforms industries and societies, equipping young minds with digital and AI skills is key to fostering security, adaptability, and growth in the years ahead.

Why AI Upskilling is Crucial in Modern Cyber Defence

Security in the digital age remains a complex challenge, regardless of the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is one of the biggest modern ironies, and not only that, it is a paradox wrapped in code, where the cure and the curse are written in the same language. The very hand that protects the world from cyber threats can very well be used for the creation of that threat. This being said, the modern-day implementation of AI has to circumvent the threats posed by it or any other advanced technology. A solid grasp of AI and machine learning mechanisms is no longer optional; it is fundamental for modern cybersecurity. The traditional cybersecurity training programs employ static content, which can often become outdated and inadequate for the vulnerabilities. AI-powered solutions, such as intrusion detection systems and next-generation firewalls, use behavioural analysis instead of just matching signatures. AI models are susceptible, nevertheless, as malevolent actors can introduce hostile inputs or tainted data to trick computers into incorrect classification. Data poisoning is a major threat to AI defences, according to Cisco's evidence.

As threats surpass the current understanding of cybersecurity professionals, a need arises to upskill them in advanced AI technologies so that they can fortify the security of current systems. Two of the most important skills for professionals would be AI/ML Model Auditing and Data Science. Skilled data scientists can sift through vast logs, from pocket captures to user profiles, to detect anomalies, assess vulnerabilities, and anticipate attacks. A news report from Business Insider puts it correctly: ‘It takes a good-guy AI to fight a bad-guy AI.’ The technology of generative AI is quite new. As a result, it poses fresh security issues and faces security risks like data exfiltration and prompt injections. 

Another method that can prove effective is Natural Language Processing (NLP), which helps machines process this unstructured data, enabling automated spam detection, sentiment analysis, and threat context extraction. Security teams skilled in NLP can deploy systems that flag suspicious email patterns, detect malicious content in code reviews, and monitor internal networks for insider threats, all at speeds and scales humans cannot match. 

The AI skills, as aforementioned, are not only for courtesy’s sake; they have become essential in the current landscape. India is not far behind in this mission; it is committed, along with its western counterparts, to employ the emerging technologies in its larger goal of advancement. With quiet confidence, India takes pride in its remarkable capacity to nurture exceptional talent in science and technology, with Indian minds making significant contributions across global arenas.

AI Upskilling in India

As per a news report of March 2025, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, highlighted that various schemes under the Skill India Programme (SIP) guarantee greater integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, blockchain, and cloud computing, to meet industry demands. The SIP’s parliamentary brochure states that more than 6.15 million recipients have received training as of December 2024. Other schemes that facilitate educating and training professionals, such as Data Scientist, Business Intelligence Analyst, and Machine Learning Engineer are,

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0)
• Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)
• Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)

Another report showcases how Indian companies, or companies with their offices in India such as Ernst & Young (EY), are recognising the potential of the Indian workforce and yet their deficiencies in emerging technologies and leading the way by internal upskilling and establishing an AI Academy, a new program designed to assist businesses in providing their employees with essential AI capabilities, in response to the increasing need for AI expertise. Using more than 200 real-world AI use cases, the program offers interactive, organised learning opportunities that cover everything from basic ideas to sophisticated generative AI capabilities. 

In order to better understand the need for these initiatives, a reference is significant to a report backed by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank; India appears to be at a turning point in the global use of AI. As per the research, “AI for All: Building an AI-Ready Workforce in Asia-Pacific,” India urgently needs to provide accessible and efficient AI upskilling despite having the largest workforce in the world. According to the paper, by 2030, AI could boost the Asia-Pacific region’s GDP by up to USD 3 trillion. The key to this potential is India, a country with the youngest and fastest-growing population.

Conclusion and CyberPeace Resolution

As the world stands at the crossroads of innovation and insecurity, India finds itself uniquely poised, with its vast young population and growing technologies. But to truly safeguard its digital future and harness the promise of AI, the country must think beyond flagship schemes. Imagine classrooms where students learn not just to code but to question algorithms, workplaces where AI training is as routine as onboarding. 

India’s journey towards digital resilience is not just about mastering technology but about cultivating curiosity, responsibility, and trust. CyberPeace is committed to this future and is resolute in this collective pursuit of an ethically secure digital world. CyberPeace resolves to be an active catalyst in AI upskilling across India. We commit to launching specialised training modules on AI, cybersecurity, and digital ethics tailored for students and professionals. It seeks to close the AI literacy gap and develop a workforce that is both morally aware and technologically proficient by working with educational institutions, skilling initiatives, and industry stakeholders. 

References

1. https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/03/07/ai-gamified-simulations-cybersecurity/ 
2. https://www.businessinsider.com/artificial-intelligence-cybersecurity-large-language-model-threats-solutions-2025-5?utm
3. https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2025/03/ai-5g-skills-boost-skill-india-targets-industry-demands-over-6-15-million-beneficiaries-trained-till-2024/ ‍
4. https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/india-must-upskill-fast-to-keep-up-with-ai-jobs-says-new-report-10107821/