#FactCheck-AI-Generated Audio Falsely Attributed to Rajnath Singh in Viral Video on Student Protest

Introduction

Apple launched Passkeys with iOS 16 as a more authentic and secure mechanism. It is safer than passwords, and it is more efficient in comparison to passwords. Apple users using iOS 16 passkeys features should enable two-factor authentication.  The passkeys are an unchallenging mechanism than the passwords for the passkeys. The user just has to open the apps and websites, and then the biometric sensor automatically recognises the face and fingerprints. There can be a PIN and pattern used to log instead of passwords. The passkeys add an extra coating of protection to the user’s systems against cyber threats like phishing attacks by SMS and one-time password-based. In a report 9 to 5mac, there is confirmation that 95% of users are using passkeys. Also, with the passkeys, users’ experience will be better, and it is a more security-proof mechanism. The passwords were weak, reused credentials and credentials leaked, and the chances of phishing attacks were real.

What are passkeys?

Passkey is a digital key linked to users’ accounts and websites or applications. Passkeys allow the user to log into any application and website without entering passwords, usernames, or other details. The aim of this new feature is to replace the old long pattern of entering passwords for going through any websites and applications.

The passkeys are developed by Microsoft, Apple, and Google together, and it is also called FIDO Authentication (Fast identity online). It eliminates the need to remember passwords and the need for typing. So, the passkeys work as they replace the password with a unique digital key, which is tied to the account then, the key is stored in the device itself, and it is end-to-end encrypted. The passkeys will always be on the sites on which users specifically created them. the passkeys use the technology of cryptography for more security purposes.  And the passkeys guarantee against the phish.

And since the passkeys follow FIDO standards so, this also can be used for third-party nonapple devices as the third-party device generate a QR code that enables the iOS user to scan that to log in. It will recognise the face of the person for authentication and then asks for permission on another device to deny or allow.

How are passkeys more secure than passwords?

The passkeys follow the public key cryptographic protocols that support the security keys, and they work against phishing and other cyber threats. It is more secure than SMS and apps based on one-time passwords. And another type of multi-factor authentication.

Why are passwords insecure?

The users create passwords easily, and it is wondering if they are secure. The very important passwords are short and easy to crack as they generally relate to the user’s personal information or popular words. One password is reused by the user to the different accounts, and then, in this case, hacking one account gives access to all accounts to the hackers. The problem is that passwords have inherent flaws, like they could be easily stolen.

Are passkeys about to become obligatory?

Many websites restrict the type of passwords, as some websites ask for mixtures of numbers and symbols, and many websites ask for two-factor authentication. There is no surety about the obligation of passkeys widespread as it is still a new concept and it will take time, so it is going to be optional for a while.

• There was a case of a Heartland payment system data breach, and Heartland was handling over 100 million monthly credit card transactions for 175,000 retailers at the time of the incident. Visa and MasterCard detected the hack in January 2009 when they notified Heartland of suspicious transactions. And this happened due to a password breach. The corporation paid an estimated $145 million in settlement for illegal payments. Today, data-driven breaches affect millions of people’s personal information.
• GoDaddy reported a security attack in November that affected the accounts of over a million of its WordPress customers. The attacker acquired unauthorised access to GoDaddy’s Managed WordPress hosting environment by hacking into the provisioning system in the company’s legacy Managed WordPress code.

Conclusion

The use of strong and unique passwords is an essential requirement to safeguard information and data from cyberattacks, but still, passwords have its own disadvantages. And by the replacement of passwords, a passkey, a digital key that ensures proper safety and there is security against cyberattacks and cybercrimes through passkey. There are cases above-mentioned that happened due to the password’s weaker security. And in this technology world, there is a need for something for protection and prevention from cybercrimes, and the world dumps passwords and adopts passkeys.

References

• https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/switch-to-passkeys-more-secure-than-passwords-on-ios-16-iphone-14/
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/google-is-ending-passwords-rolls-out-passkeys-for-easy-log-in-how-to-set-it/articleshow/99988444.cms?from=mdr
• https://security.googleblog.com/2023/05/making-authentication-faster-than-ever.html#:~:text=Because%20they%20are%20based%20on,%2Dfactor%20authentication%20(MFA).

Introduction

Misinformation in India has emerged as a significant societal challenge, wielding a potent influence on public perception, political discourse, and social dynamics. A potential number of first-time voters across India identified fake news as a real problem in the nation. With the widespread adoption of digital platforms, false narratives, manipulated content, and fake news have found fertile ground to spread unchecked information and news.

In the backdrop of India being the largest market of WhatsApp users, who forward more content on chats than anywhere else, the practice of fact-checking forwarded information continues to remain low. The heavy reliance on print media, television, unreliable news channels and primarily, social media platforms acts as a catalyst since studies reveal that most Indians trust any content forwarded by family and friends. It is noted that out of all risks, misinformation and disinformation ranked the highest in India, coming before infectious diseases, illicit economic activity, inequality and labour shortages. World Economic Forum analysts, in connection with their 2024 Global Risk Report, note that “misinformation and disinformation in electoral processes could seriously destabilise the real and perceived legitimacy of newly elected governments, risking political unrest, violence and terrorism and long-term erosion of democratic processes.”

The Supreme Court of India on Misinformation

The Supreme Court of India, through various judgements, has noted the impact of misinformation on democratic processes within the country, especially during elections and voting. In 1995, while adjudicating a matter pertaining to keeping the broadcasting media under the control of the public, it noted that democracy becomes a farce when the medium of information is monopolized either by partisan central authority or by private individuals or oligarchic organizations. 

In 2003, the Court stated that “Right to participate by casting a vote at the time of election would be meaningless unless the voters are well informed about all sides of the issue in respect of which they are called upon to express their views by casting their votes. Disinformation, misinformation, non-information all equally create an uninformed citizenry which would finally make democracy a mobocracy and a farce.” It noted that elections would be a useless procedure if voters remained unaware of the antecedents of the candidates contesting elections. Thus, a necessary aspect of a voter’s duty to cast intelligent and rational votes is being well-informed. Such information forms one facet of the fundamental right under Article 19 (1)(a) pertaining to freedom of speech and expression. Quoting James Madison, it stated that a citizen’s right to know the true facts about their country’s administration is one of the pillars of a democratic State.

On a similar note, the Supreme Court, while discussing the disclosure of information by an election candidate, gave weightage to the High Court of Bombay‘s opinion on the matter, which opined that non-disclosure of information resulted in misinformation and disinformation, thereby influencing voters to take uninformed decisions. It stated that a voter had the elementary right to know the full particulars of a candidate who is to represent him in Parliament/Assemblies.

While misinformation was discussed primarily in relation to elections, the effects of misinformation in other sectors have also been discussed from time to time. In particular, The court highlighted the World Health Organisation’s observation in 2021 while discussing the spread of COVID-19, noting that the pandemic was not only an epidemic but also an “infodemic” due to the overabundance of information on the internet, which was riddled with misinformation and disinformation. While condemning governments’ direct or indirect threats of prosecution to citizens, it noted that various citizens who relied on the internet to provide help in securing medical facilities and oxygen tanks were being targeted by alleging that the information posted by them was false and was posted to create panic, defame the administration or damage national image. It instructed authorities to cease such threats and prevent clampdown on information sharing.

More recently, in Facebook v. Delhi Legislative Assembly [(2022) 3 SCC 529], the apex court, while upholding the summons issued to Facebook by the Delhi Legislative Assembly in the aftermath of the 2020 Delhi Riots, noted that while social media enables equal and open dialogue between citizens and policymakers, it is also a tool in the where extremist views are peddled into mainstream media, thereby spreading misinformation. It noted Facebook’s role in the Mynmar, where misinformation and posts that Facebook employees missed fueled offline violence. Since Facebook is one of the most popular social media applications, the platform itself acts as a power center by hosting various opinions and voices on its forum. This directly impacts the governance of States, and some form of liability must be attached to the platform. The Supreme Court objected to Facebook taking contrary stands in various jurisdictions; while in the US, it projected itself as a publisher, which enabled it to maintain control over the material disseminated from its platform, while in India, “it has chosen to identify itself purely as a social media platform, despite its similar functions and services in the two countries.”

Conclusion

The pervasive issue of misinformation in India is a multifaceted challenge with profound implications for democratic processes, public awareness, and social harmony. The alarming statistics of fake news recognition among first-time voters, coupled with a lack of awareness regarding fact-checking organizations, underscore the urgency of addressing this issue. The Supreme Court of India has consistently recognized the detrimental impact of misinformation, particularly in elections. The judiciary has stressed the pivotal role of an informed citizenry in upholding the essence of democracy. It has emphasized the right to access accurate information as a fundamental aspect of freedom of speech and expression. As India grapples with the challenges of misinformation, the intersection of technology, media literacy and legal frameworks will be crucial in mitigating the adverse effects and fostering a more resilient and informed society.

References

• https://thewire.in/media/survey-finds-false-information-risk-highest-in-india 
• https://www.statista.com/topics/5846/fake-news-in-india/#topicOverview
• https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2024/digest/  
• https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2020/20428/20428_2020_37_1501_28386_Judgement_08-Jul-2021.pdf
• Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt, of India and Others v. Cricket Association of Bengal and Another [(1995) 2 SCC 161]
• People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) v. Union of India [(2003) 4 SCC 399]
• Kisan Shankar Kathore v. Arun Dattatray Sawant and Others [(2014) 14 SCC 162]
• Distribution of Essential Supplies & Services During Pandemic, In re [(2021) 18 SCC 201]
• Facebook v. Delhi Legislative Assembly [(2022) 3 SCC 529]

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A video is being shared on social media, falsely attributing it to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The video claims that following the Bondi Beach attack, he decided to cancel the visas of Pakistani citizens.

An investigation by the Cyber Peace Foundation revealed that the viral video was created using AI. In the original video, Anthony Albanese was answering questions related to the Climate Change Bill during a press conference. It is important to note that in the attack that took place last Sunday (14 December) at Bondi Beach in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 15 people were killed. According to Australian police, the attack targeted the Jewish community. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that the two accused involved in the attack were father and son—one aged 50 and the other 24. Media reports identified them as Sajid and Naved Akram.

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Claim:

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On 14 December 2025, a user on the social media platform X shared a video claiming, “After the attack by a Pakistani Islamic terrorist, the Australian Prime Minister has decided to cancel the visas of all Pakistanis. The whole world is troubled by this community, and in India it is said that Abdul cannot buy a house in a Hindu neighbourhood.”

The link to the related post, its archived version, and screenshots can be seen below:

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• https://x.com/mktyaggi/status/2000187241390580001?s=20
• https://archive.ph/ut7VH

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‍Investigation:Upon closely examining the viral video, we suspected it to be AI-generated. Subsequently, we scanned the video using the AI detection tool aurigin.ai. According to the results provided by the tool, the video was found to be AI-generated.

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