#FactCheck: Beware of Fake Emails Distributing Fraudulent e-PAN Cards

Introduction 

In the ever-evolving world of technological innovation, a new chapter is being inscribed by the bold visionaries at Figure AI, a startup that is not merely capitalising on artificial intelligence rage but seeking to crest its very pinnacle. With the recent influx of a staggering $675 million in funding, this Sunnyvale, California-based enterprise has captured the imagination of industry giants and venture capitalists alike, all betting on a future where humanoid robots transcend the realm of science fiction to become an integral part of our daily lives.

The narrative of Figure AI's ascent is punctuated by the names of tech luminaries and corporate giants. Jeff Bezos, through his firm Explore Investments LLC, has infused a hefty $100 million into the venture. Microsoft, not to be outdone, has contributed a cool $95 million. Nvidia and an Amazon-affiliated fund have each bestowed $50 million upon Figure AI's ambitious endeavours. This surge of capital is a testament to the potential seen in the company's mission to develop general-purpose humanoid robots that promise to revolutionise industries and redefine human labour.

The Catalyst for Change 

This investment craze can be traced back to the emergence of OpenAI's ChatGPT, a chatbot that caught the public eye in November 2022. Its success has not only ushered in a new era for AI but has also sparked a race among investors eager to stake their claim in startups determined to outshine their more established counterparts. OpenAI itself, once mulling over the acquisition of Figure AI, has now joined the ranks of its benefactors with a $5 million investment.

The roster of backers reads like a who's who of the tech and venture capital world. Intel's venture capital arm, LG Innotek, Samsung's investment group, Parkway Venture Capital, Align Ventures, ARK Venture Fund, Aliya Capital Partners, and Tamarack—all have invested their lot with Figure AI, signalling a broad consensus on the startup's potential to disrupt and innovate.

Yet, when probed for insights, these major players—Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Intel—have maintained a Sphinx-like silence, while Figure AI and other entities mentioned in the report have refrained from immediate responses to inquiries. This veil of secrecy only adds to the intrigue surrounding the company's prospects and the transformative impact its technology may have on society.

Need For AI Robots 

Figure AI's robots are not mere assemblages of metal and circuitry; they are envisioned as versatile beings capable of navigating a multitude of environments and executing a diverse array of tasks. From working at aisles of warehouses to the bustling corridors of retail spaces, these humanoid automatons are being designed to fill the void of millions of jobs projected to remain vacant due to a shrinking human labour force.

The company's long-term mission statement is as audacious as it is altruistic: 'to develop general-purpose humanoids that make a positive impact on humanity and create a better life for future generations.' This noble pursuit is not just about engineering efficiency; it is about reshaping the very fabric of work, liberating humans from hazardous and menial tasks, and propelling us towards a future where our lives are enriched with purpose and fulfilment.

Conclusion 

As we stand on the cusp of a new digital world, the strides of Figure AI serve as a beacon, illuminating the path towards machine and human symbiosis. The investment frenzy that has enveloped the company is a clarion call to all dreamers, pragmatists and innovators alike that the age of humanoid helpers is upon us, and the possibilities are as endless as our collective imagination.

Figure AI is forging a future where robots walk among us, not as novelties or overlords but as partners in forging a world where technology and humanity work together to unlock untold potential. The story of Figure AI is not just one of investment and innovation; it is a narrative of hope, a testament to the indomitable spirit of human ingenuity, and a preview of the wondrous epoch that lies just beyond the horizon.

References 

• https://cybernews.com/tech/openai-bezos-nvidia-fund-robot-startup-figure-ai/
• https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bezos-nvidia-join-openai-funding-humanoid-robot-startup-3551476
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-23/bezos-nvidia-join-openai-microsoft-in-funding-humanoid-robot-startup-figure-ai
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/bezos-nvidia-join-openai-in-funding-humanoid-robot-startup-report/articleshow/107967102.cms?from=mdr

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Introduction

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India is confronting a wake-up call as a recent cyber incident aimed at the aviation sector underscores the fragile nature of digital systems that guide national air travel. The disclosure in Parliament has pushed the conversation on flight safety, signal integrity, and cyber readiness back into urgent focus. In a written response to a Parliamentary question, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu acknowledged that GPS spoofing, a malicious method employed to alter navigation signals, had been noticed at seven major airports of the country. New Delhi flights had not been affected during the incident, but still, it was an event that again made air travel's safety, GNSS interference, and the overall cyber threat to India's airspace an issue of concern.

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The Incident: What Happened?

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Initial notices came from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where the pilots of the different inbound flights talked about GPS spoofing as the reason for their landing. Spoofing is the process of sending counterfeit GPS signals which mislead the aircraft's navigation systems and may cause a wrong measure of the altitude, the position or the runway alignment. In Delhi, pilots operating under GPS-based landing procedures over Runway 10 experienced errors in their approaches and promptly switched to the alternative procedures without any delay.

The Minister said that apart from Delhi, other airports, viz. Kolkata, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai were the 6 airports that recorded similar GNSS interference patterns consisting of both jamming and spoofing. Though no major interruptions or incidents occurred, these occurrences are a sign of a steady and enlarging threat.

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Why Is GPS Spoofing So Dangerous?

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Satellite navigation and communication systems are the backbone of modern aviation, which is now a matter of great precision. Signal jamming by malicious actors comes with a bunch of risks:

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1. Diversions and Delays: Pilots may be forced to either give up attempts to land or divert flights, which translates into higher consumption of fuel and more complicated operations due to the case of jamming.

2. Threat of Safety Issue: Pilots are trained to deal with such incidents by following the prescribed fallback procedures, but still they depend very much on the GNSS signals that are accurate for safe manoeuvring, especially in low visibility situations.

3. Pressure on Old Systems: Indian airports are still in the process of completely converting from ground-based navigation aids to GNSS. Signal disruptions entail the use of older technologies, which results in putting additional pressure on the already overburdened air traffic control systems.

4. Opening Up Possibilities for Direct Attacks: Signal jamming can be made a tool for more clever tactics of operation that can include causing confusion during the busy traffic period or performing coordinated attacks to create chaos.

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Aviation and Cyber Threats

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The disturbances that have been mentioned at the seven airports are not unique. The civil aviation regulators all over the world have already reported an increase in GNSS jamming. The exemplary cases in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and East Asia have revealed that the safety of airspace has turned into a tactical issue.

Moreover, India's quick adoption of digital technology in the aviation sector could open threat vulnerabilities from state-sponsored groups, hackers. In this instance, the government has not yet announced who was responsible for the spoofing, but the trend points to an adversary with advanced technology.

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Government and Regulatory Response

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The confirmation from the Civil Aviation Minister underscores a proactive stance by agencies such as:

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Airports Authority of India (AAI)

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The involved entities are collaborating now to do an inquiry into the cases and set up preventive measures. 

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The main steps that are taken in response are: 

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• More thorough observation of GNSS signal anomalies 
• More pilot briefings and training on dealing with spoofing situations 
• Improving navigation aids to set up a backup 
• Working with IT security experts to find out the sources of interference 
• Communicating with other global aviation authorities to share the best practices 

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India, being a significant player in the world aviation market, is not allowed to relax its guard. Cyberattacks on airports show how digital as well as physical security are becoming more and more intertwined.

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The Bigger Picture: Protecting Critical Infrastructure

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Aviation is a sector that very clearly shows that threats from cyberspace can easily translate into security issues for a nation. The airport system not only becomes more vulnerable to attacks but also the whole aviation industry as the digital ecosystems gain more complex forms together with integrated telecommunications networks, the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled systems, and cloud-based services.

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One of the many threats in the form of GNSS spoofing demonstrates so-called: 

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• Ransomware attacks on airport systems
• Contamination of air traffic control infrastructure 
• Data breaches conducted by insiders 
• Passenger data attacks 
• Hinderance of airport logistics and baggage systems 

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What Needs to Happen Next?

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India is compelled to embrace a multi-faceted approach in order to manage the intricacies of GNSS interference risk:

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1. Cybersecurity Measures in Aviation Enforced: New monitoring tools, anomaly detection systems, and instant response plans will be put into service.
2. Redundant Technology: The non-GNSS-based navigation system will be expanded to guarantee the continuity of operations in the event of jamming.
3. Cyber Drills Across all Sectors: To get pilots, air traffic control personnel, and airport operators ready, the aviation cyber drills will be conducted at the national level.
4. Global Cooperation: International organisations will be approached to share the information and standardise the procedures.
5. R&D and Innovations: Funding will be directed towards anti-spoofing technology, stronger satellite signals, and the domestic navigation system, like NavIC.

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Conclusion

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The cyberattack that targeted the seven airports serves as a clear reminder that aviation cybersecurity should not be considered a secondary issue anymore. Even though the quick reaction from the authorities managed to averted any disruptions, the event still shows the vulnerabilities of modern aviation systems. India's air travel infrastructure expansion will be a good time for the country to install its strong cybersecurity frameworks to protect its passengers, maintain the continuity of operations, and secure the airspace of its territory. At CyberPeace, we believe that a coordinated, proactive, and technology-driven approach is no longer an option, it is the new fundamental of aviation security in the digital age.

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Reference

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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZgAVgwQ5lE

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Introduction

The Telecommunications Act of 2023 was passed by Parliament in December, receiving the President's assent and being published in the official Gazette on December 24, 2023. The act is divided into 11 chapters 62 sections and 3 schedules. Sections 1, 2, 10-30, 42-44, 46, 47, 50-58, 61 and 62 already took effect on June 26, 2024. 

On July 04, 2024, the Centre issued a Gazetted Notification and sections 6-8, 48 and 59(b) were notified to be effective from July 05, 2024. The Act aims to amend and consolidate the laws related to telecommunication services, telecommunication networks, and spectrum assignment and it ‘repeals’ certain older colonial-era legislations like the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraph Act 1933. Due to the advancements in technology in the telecom sector, the new law is enacted. 

On 18 July 2024 Thursday, the telecom minister while launching the theme of Indian Mobile Congress (IMC), announced that all rules and provisions of the new Telecom Act would be notified within the next 180 days, hence making the Act operational at full capacity. 

Important definitions under Telecommunications Act, 2023

1. Authorisation: Section 2(d) entails “authorisation” means a permission, by whatever name called, granted under this Act for— (i) providing telecommunication services; (ii) establishing, operating, maintaining or expanding telecommunication networks; or (iii) possessing radio equipment.
2. Telecommunication: Section 2(p) entails “Telecommunication” means transmission, emission or reception of any messages, by wire, radio, optical or other electro-magnetic systems, whether or not such messages have been subjected to rearrangement, computation or other processes by any means in the course of their transmission, emission or reception.
3. Telecommunication Network: Section 2(s) entails “telecommunication network” means a system or series of systems of telecommunication equipment or infrastructure, including terrestrial or satellite networks or submarine networks, or a combination of such networks, used or intended to be used for providing telecommunication services, but does not include such telecommunication equipment as notified by the Central Government.
4. Telecommunication Service: Section 2(t) entails “telecommunication service” means any service for telecommunication.

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Measures for Cyber Security for the Telecommunication Network/Services

Section 22 of the Telecommunication Act, 2023 talks about the protection of telecommunication networks and telecommunication services. The section specifies that the centre may provide rules to ensure the cybersecurity of telecommunication networks and telecommunication services. Such measures may include the collection, analysis and dissemination of traffic data that is generated, transmitted, received or stored in telecommunication networks. ‘Traffic data’ can include any data generated, transmitted, received, or stored in telecommunication networks – such as type, duration, or time of a telecommunication. 

Section 22 further empowers the central government to declare any telecommunication network, or part thereof, as Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure. It may further provide for standards, security practices, upgradation requirements and procedures to be implemented for such Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure. 

CyberPeace Policy Wing Outlook:

The Telecommunication Act, 2023 marks a significant change & growth in the telecom sector by providing a robust regulatory framework, encouraging research and development, promoting infrastructure development, and measures for consumer protection. The Central Government is empowered to authorize individuals for (a) providing telecommunication services, (b) establishing, operating, maintaining, or expanding telecommunication networks, or (c) possessing radio equipment. Section 48 of the act provides no person shall possess or use any equipment that blocks telecommunication unless permitted by the Central Government. 

The Central Government will protect users by implementing different measures, such as the requirement of prior consent of users for receiving particular messages, keeping a 'Do Not Disturb' register to stop unwanted messages, the mechanism to enable users to report any malware or specified messages received, the preparation and maintenance of “Do Not Disturb” register, to ensure that users do not receive specified messages or class of specified messages without prior consent. The authorized entity providing telecommunication services will also be required to create an online platform for users for their grievances pertaining to telecommunication services. 

In certain limited circumstances such as national security measures, disaster management and public safety, the act contains provisions empowering the Government to take temporary possession of telecom services or networks from authorised entity; direct interception or disclosure of messages, with measures to be specified in rulemaking. This entails that the government gains additional controls in case of emergencies to ensure security and public order. However, this has to be balanced with appropriate measures protecting individual privacy rights and avoiding any unintended arbitrary actions. 

Taking into account the cyber security in the telecommunication sector, the government is empowered under the act to introduce standards for cyber security for telecommunication services and telecommunication networks; and encryption and data processing in telecommunication. 

The act also promotes the research and development and pilot projects under Digital Bharat Nidhi. The act also promotes the approach of digital by design by bringing online dispute resolution and other frameworks. Overall the approach of the government is noteworthy as they realise the need for updating the colonial era legislation considering the importance of technological advancements and keeping pace with the digital and technical revolution in the telecommunication sector. 

References:

1. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:88cb04ff-2cce-4663-ad41-88aafc81a416
2. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2031057
3. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2027941
4. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/new-telecom-act-will-be-notified-in-180-days-bsnl-4g-rollout-is-monitored-on-a-daily-basis-scindia/articleshow/111851845.cms?from=mdr
5. https://www.azbpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Update-Staggered-Enforcement-of-Telecommunications-Act-2023.pdf
6. https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/blog/analysing-the-impact-of-telecommunications-act-2023-on-digital-india-mission/111828226

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