#FactCheck-Bangladesh Video Falsely Shared as Security Forces Action During West Bengal Elections 2026

In 2023, PIB reported that up to 22% of young women in India are affected by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). However, access to reliable information regarding the condition and its treatment remains a challenge. A study by the PGIMER Chandigarh conducted in 2021 revealed that approximately 37% of affected women rely on the internet as their primary source of information for PCOS. However, it can be difficult to distinguish credible medical advice from misleading or inaccurate information online since the internet and social media are rife with misinformation. The uptake of misinformation can significantly delay the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, jeopardizing health outcomes for all.

The PCOS Misinformation Ecosystem Online

PCOS is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in the female endocrine system, characterized by the swelling of ovaries and the formation of small cysts on their outer edges. This may lead to irregular menstruation, weight gain, hirsutism, possible infertility, poor mental health, and other symptoms. However, there is limited research on its causes, leaving most medical practitioners in India ill-equipped to manage the issue effectively and pushing women to seek alternate remedies from various sources.

This creates space for the proliferation of rumours, unverified cures and superstitions,  on social media, For example, content on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram may promote “miracle cures” like detox teas or restrictive diets, or viral myths claiming PCOS can be “cured” through extreme weight loss or herbal remedies. Such misinformation not only creates false hope for women but also delays treatment, or may worsen symptoms.

 How Tech Platforms Amplify Misinformation 

1. Engagement vs. Accuracy: Social media algorithms are designed to reward viral content, even if it’s misleading or incendiary since it generates advertisement revenue. Further, non-medical health influencers often dominate health conversations online and offer advice with promises of curing the condition.
2. Lack of Verification: Although platforms like YouTube try to provide verified health-related videos through content shelves, and label unverified content, the sheer volume of content online means that a significant chunk of content escapes the net of content moderation. 
3. Cultural Context: In India, discussions around women’s health, especially reproductive health, are stigmatized, making social media the go-to source for private, albeit unreliable, information. 

Way Forward

a. Regulating Health Content on Tech Platforms: Social media is a significant source of health information to millions who may otherwise lack access to affordable healthcare. Rather than rolling back content moderation practices as seen recently, platforms must dedicate more resources to identify and debunk misinformation, particularly health misinformation. 

b. Public Awareness Campaigns: Governments and NGOs should run nationwide campaigns in digital literacy to educate on women’s health issues in vernacular languages and utilize online platforms for culturally sensitive messaging to reach rural and semi-urban populations. This is vital for countering the stigma and lack of awareness which enables misinformation to proliferate. 

c. Empowering Healthcare Communication: Several studies suggest a widespread dissatisfaction among women in many parts of the world regarding the information and care they receive for PCOS.  This is what drives them to social media for answers. Training PCOS specialists and healthcare workers to provide accurate details and counter misinformation during patient consultations can improve the communication gaps between healthcare professionals and patients. 

d. Strengthening the Research for PCOS: The allocation of funding for research in PCOS is vital, especially in the face of its growing prevalence amongst Indian women. Academic and healthcare institutions must collaborate to produce culturally relevant, evidence-based interventions for PCOS. Information regarding this must be made available online since the internet is most often a primary source of information. An improvement in the research will inform improved communication, which will help reduce the trust deficit between women and healthcare professionals when it comes to women’s health concerns.

Conclusion 

In India, the PCOS misinformation ecosystem is shaped by a mix of local and global factors such as health communication failures, cultural stigma, and tech platform design prioritizing engagement over accuracy. With millions of women turning to the internet for guidance regarding their conditions, they are increasingly vulnerable to unverified claims and pseudoscientific remedies which can lead to delayed diagnoses, ineffective treatments, and worsened health outcomes. The rising number of PCOS cases in the country warrants the bridging of health research and communications gaps so that women can be empowered with accurate, actionable information to make the best decisions regarding their health and well-being. 

Sources

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1893279#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20most%20prevailing%20female%20endocrine,neuroendocrine%20system%2C%20sedentary%20lifestyle%2C%20diet%2C%20and%20obesity. 
• https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/india-unprepared-pcos-crisis?utm_source=chatgpt.com 
• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgz2p0999yo ‍
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9092874/

Executive Summary

A picture circulating on social media allegedly shows Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani presenting a luxury car to India’s T20 team captain Suryakumar Yadav. The image is being widely shared with the claim that the Ambani family gifted the cricketer a luxury car in recognition of his outstanding performance. However, research conducted by the CyberPeace found the viral claim to be false. The research revealed that the image being circulated online is not authentic but generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

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Claim

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On February 8, 2025, a Facebook user shared the viral image claiming that Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani gifted a luxury car to Suryakumar Yadav following his brilliant innings. The post has been widely circulated across social media platforms. In another instance, a user shared a collage in which one image shows Suryakumar Yadav receiving an award, while another depicts him with Nita Ambani, further amplifying the claim.

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• https://www.facebook.com/61559815349585/posts/122207061746327178/?rdid=0MukeT6c7WK1uB8m# 
• https://archive.ph/wip/UH9Xh 

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Fact Check:

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Upon closely examining the viral image, certain visual inconsistencies raised suspicion that it might be AI-generated. To verify its authenticity, the image was analysed using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which indicated a 99 percent probability that the image was AI-generated.

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In the next step of the research, the image was also analysed using another AI detection tool, Sightengine, which found a 98 percent likelihood that the image was created using artificial intelligence.

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Conclusion

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The research clearly establishes that the viral image claiming Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani gifted a luxury car to Suryakumar Yadav is misleading. The picture is not real and has been generated using AI.

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Introduction

In 2019 India got its bill on Data protection in the form of the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019. This bill focused on digital rights and duties pertaining to data privacy. However, the bill was scrapped by the Govt in mid-2022, and a new bill was drafted, Successor bill was introduced as the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 on 18th November 2022, which was made open for public comments and consultations and now the bill is expected to be tabled at the parliament in the Monsoon session.

What is DPDP, 2022?

Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, is the lasted draft regulation for data privacy in India. The bill has been essentially focused towards data protection by companies and the keep aspect of Puttaswamy judgement of data privacy as a fundamental right has been upheld under the scope of the bill. The bill comes after nearly 150 recommendations which the parliamentary committee made when the PDP, 2019 was scrapped.

The bill highlights the following keen aspects-

• Data Fiduciary- The entity (an individual, company, firm, state, etc.) which decides the purpose and means of processing an individual’s personal data.
• Data Principle- The individual to whom personal data is related.
• Processing- The entire cycle of operations that can be carried out concerning personal data.
• Gender Neutrality- For the first time in India’s legislative history, “her” and “she” have been used to refer to individuals irrespective of gender.
• Right to Erase Data- Data principals will have the right to demand the erasure and correction of data collected by the data fiduciary.
• Cross-border data transfer- The bill allows cross-border data after an assessment of relevant factors by the Central Government.
• Children’s Rights- The bill guarantees the right to digital privacy under the protection of parents/guardians.
• Heavy Penalties- The bill enforces heavy penalties for non-compliance with the provisions, not exceeding Rs 500 crore.

Data Protection Board

The bill lays down provisions for setting up a Data Protection Board. This board will be an independent body acting solely on the factors of data privacy and protection of the data principles and maintaining compliance by data fiduciaries. The board will be headed by a chairperson of essential and relevant qualifications, and members and various other officials shall assist him/her under the board. The board will serve grievance redressal to the data principles and can conduct investigation, inquiry, proceeding, and pass orders equivalent to a Civil court. The proceeding will be undertaken on the principle of natural justice, and the aggrieved can file an appeal to the High Court of appropriate jurisdiction.

Global Comparison

Many countries have data protection laws that regulate the processing of personal data. Some of the notable examples include:

• European Union: The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of the world’s most comprehensive data protection laws. It regulates public and private entities’ processing of personal data and gives individuals a wide range of rights over their personal data.
• United States: The US has several data protection laws that apply to specific sectors or types of data, such as health data (HIPAA) or financial data (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act). However, there is no comprehensive federal data protection law in the US.
• Japan: Japan’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) regulates the handling of personal data by private entities and gives individuals certain rights over their personal data.
• Australia: Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 regulates the handling of personal data by public and private entities and gives individuals certain rights over their personal data.
• Brazil: Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD) regulates the processing of personal data by public and private entities and gives individuals certain rights over their personal data. It also imposes heavy fines and penalties on entities that violate the provisions of the law.

Overall, while there are some similarities in data protection laws across countries, there are also significant differences in scope, applicability, and enforcement. It is important for organisations to understand the data protection laws that apply to their operations and take appropriate steps to comply with these laws.

Parliamentary Asscent

The case of violation of the privacy policy by WhatsApp at the Hon’ble Supreme Court resulted in a significant advocacy for Data privacy as a fundamental right, and it was held that, as suggested otherwise in the privacy policy, Whatsapp was sharing its user’s data with Meta. This massive breach of trust could have led to data mismanagement affecting thousands of Indian users. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has taken due consideration of data privacy and its challenges in India and asked the Govt to table the bill in Parliament. The bill will be tabled for discussion in the monsoon session. The Supreme Court has set up a constitutional bench to check the bill’s scope, extent and applications and provide its judicial oversight.  The constitution bench of Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar has fixed the matter for hearing in August in order to enforce the potential changes and amendments in the act post the parliamentary discussion.

Conclusion

India is the world’s largest democracy, so the crucial aspects of passing laws and amendments have always been followed by the government and kept under check by the judiciary. The discussion over bills is a crucial part of the democratic process, and bills as important as Digital Personal Data Protection need to be discussed and analysed thoroughly in both houses of Parliament to ensure the govt passes a sustainable and efficient law.