#FactCheck: Debunking the Edited Image Claim of PM Modi with Hafiz Saeed
Executive Summary:
A photoshopped image circulating online suggests Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with militant leader Hafiz Saeed. The actual photograph features PM Modi greeting former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during a surprise diplomatic stopover in Lahore on December 25, 2015.
The Claim:
A widely shared image on social media purportedly shows PM Modi meeting Hafiz Saeed, a declared terrorist. The claim implies Modi is hostile towards India or aligned with terrorists.
Fact Check:
On our research and reverse image search we found that the Press Information Bureau (PIB) had tweeted about the visit on 25 December 2015, noting that PM Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by then-Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. The tweet included several images from various angles of the original meeting between Modi and Sharif. On the same day, PM Modi also posted a tweet stating he had spoken with Nawaz Sharif and extended birthday wishes. Additionally, no credible reports of any meeting between Modi and Hafiz Saeed, further validating that the viral image is digitally altered.
In our further research we found an identical photo, with former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in place of Hafiz Saeed. This post was shared by Hindustan Times on X on 26 December 2015, pointing to the possibility that the viral image has been manipulated.
Conclusion:
The viral image claiming to show PM Modi with Hafiz Saeed is digitally manipulated. A reverse image search and official posts from the PIB and PM Modi confirm the original photo was taken during Modi’s visit to Lahore in December 2015, where he met Nawaz Sharif. No credible source supports any meeting between Modi and Hafiz Saeed, clearly proving the image is fake.
- Claim: Debunking the Edited Image Claim of PM Modi with Hafiz Saeed
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Related Blogs
Executive Summary:
A viral photo on social media claims to show a ruined bridge in Kerala, India. But, a reality check shows that the bridge is in Amtali, Barguna district, Bangladesh. The reverse image search of this picture led to a Bengali news article detailing the bridge's critical condition. This bridge was built-in 2002 to 2006 over Jugia Khal in Arpangashia Union. It has not been repaired and experiences recurrent accidents and has the potential to collapse, which would disrupt local connectivity. Thus, the social media claims are false and misleading.
Claims:
Social Media users share a photo that shows a ruined bridge in Kerala, India.
Fact Check:
On receiving the posts, we reverse searched the image which leads to a Bengali News website named Manavjamin where the title displays, “19 dangerous bridges in Amtali, lakhs of people in fear”. We found the picture on this website similar to the viral image. On reading the whole article, we found that the bridge is located in Bangladesh's Amtali sub-district of Barguna district.
Taking a cue from this, we then searched for the bridge in that region. We found a similar bridge at the same location in Amtali, Bangladesh.
According to the article, The 40-meter bridge over Jugia Khal in Arpangashia Union, Amtali, was built in 2002 to 2006 and was never repaired. It is in a critical condition, causing frequent accidents and risking collapse. If the bridge collapses it will disrupt communication between multiple villages and the upazila town. Residents have made temporary repairs.
Hence, the claims made by social media users are fake and misleading.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the viral photo claiming to show a ruined bridge in Kerala is actually from Amtali, Barguna district, Bangladesh. The bridge is in a critical state, with frequent accidents and the risk of collapse threatening local connectivity. Therefore, the claims made by social media users are false and misleading.
- Claim: A viral image shows a ruined bridge in Kerala, India.
- Claimed on: Facebook
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
In the vast, interconnected cosmos of the internet, where knowledge and connectivity are celebrated as the twin suns of enlightenment, there lurk shadows of a more sinister nature. Here, in these darker corners, the innocence of childhood is not only exploited but also scarred, indelibly and forever. The production, distribution, and consumption of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) have surged to alarming levels globally, casting a long, ominous shadow over the digital landscape.
In response to this pressing issue, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has unfurled a comprehensive four-part advisory, a beacon of hope aimed at combating CSAM and safeguarding the rights of children in this digital age. This advisory dated 27/10/23 is not merely a reaction to the rising tide of CSAM, but a testament to the imperative need for constant vigilance in the realm of cyber peace.
The statistics paint a sobering picture. In 2021, more than 1,500 instances of publishing, storing, and transmitting CSAM were reported, shedding a harsh light on the scale of the problem. Even more alarming is the upward trend in cases reported in subsequent years. By 2023, a staggering 450,207 cases of CSAM had already been reported, marking a significant increase from the 204,056 and 163,633 cases reported in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Key Aspects of Advisory
The NHRC's advisory commences with a fundamental recommendation - a redefinition of terminology. It suggests replacing the term 'Child Pornography' with 'Child Sexual Abuse Material' (CSAM). This shift in language is not merely semantic; it underscores the gravity of the issue, emphasizing that this is not about pornography but child abuse.
Moreover, the advisory calls for the definition of 'sexually explicit' under Section 67B of the IT Act, 2000. This step is crucial for ensuring the prompt identification and removal of online CSAM. By giving a clear definition, law enforcement can act swiftly in removing such content from the internet.
The digital world knows no borders, and CSAM can easily cross jurisdictional lines. NHRC recognizes this challenge and proposes that laws be harmonized across jurisdictions through bilateral agreements. Moreover, it recommends pushing for the adoption of a UN draft Convention on 'Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes' at the General Assembly.
One of the critical aspects of the advisory is the strengthening of law enforcement. NHRC advocates for the creation of Specialized State Police Units in every state and union territory to handle CSAM-related cases. The central government is expected to provide support, including grants, to set up and equip these units.
The NHRC further recommends establishing a Specialized Central Police Unit under the government of India's jurisdiction. This unit will focus on identifying and apprehending CSAM offenders and maintaining a repository of such content. Its role is not limited to law enforcement; it is expected to cooperate with investigative agencies, analyze patterns, and initiate the process for content takedown. This coordinated approach is designed to combat the problem effectively, both on the dark web and open web.
The role of internet intermediaries and social media platforms in controlling CSAM is undeniable. The NHRC advisory emphasizes that intermediaries must deploy technology, such as content moderation algorithms, to proactively detect and remove CSAM from their platforms. This places the onus on the platforms to be proactive in policing their content and ensuring the safety of their users.
New Developments
Platforms using end-to-end encryption services may be required to create additional protocols for monitoring the circulation of CSAM. Failure to do so may invite the withdrawal of the 'safe harbor' clause under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000. This measure ensures that platforms using encryption technology are not inadvertently providing safe havens for those engaged in illegal activities.
NHRC's advisory extends beyond legal and law enforcement measures; it emphasizes the importance of awareness and sensitization at various levels. Schools, colleges, and institutions are called upon to educate students, parents, and teachers about the modus operandi of online child sexual abusers, the vulnerabilities of children on the internet, and the early signs of online child abuse.
To further enhance awareness, a cyber curriculum is proposed to be integrated into the education system. This curriculum will not only boost digital literacy but also educate students about relevant child care legislation, policies, and the legal consequences of violating them.
NHRC recognizes that survivors of CSAM need more than legal measures and prevention strategies. Survivors are recommended to receive support services and opportunities for rehabilitation through various means. Partnerships with civil society and other stakeholders play a vital role in this aspect. Moreover, psycho-social care centers are proposed to be established in every district to facilitate need-based support services and organization of stigma eradication programs.
NHRC's advisory is a resounding call to action, acknowledging the critical importance of protecting children from the perils of CSAM. By addressing legal gaps, strengthening law enforcement, regulating online platforms, and promoting awareness and support, the NHRC aims to create a safer digital environment for children.
Conclusion
In a world where the internet plays an increasingly central role in our lives, these recommendations are not just proactive but imperative. They underscore the collective responsibility of governments, law enforcement agencies, intermediaries, and society as a whole in safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in the digital age.
NHRC's advisory is a pivotal guide to a more secure and child-friendly digital world. By addressing the rising tide of CSAM and emphasizing the need for constant vigilance, NHRC reaffirms the critical role of organizations, governments, and individuals in ensuring cyber peace and child protection in the digital age. The active contribution from premier cyber resilience firms like Cyber Peace Foundation, amplifies the collective action forging a secure digital space, highlighting the pivotal role played by think tanks in ensuring cyber peace and resilience.
References:
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nhrc-issues-advisory-regarding-child-sexual-abuse-material-on-internet-101698473197792.html
- https://ssrana.in/articles/nhrcs-advisory-proliferation-of-child-sexual-abuse-material-csam/
- https://theprint.in/india/specialised-central-police-unit-use-of-technology-to-proactively-detect-csam-nhrc-advisory/1822223/
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Introduction
Against the dynamic backdrop of Mumbai, where the intersection of age-old markets and cutting-edge innovation is a daily reality, an initiative of paramount importance has begun to take shape within the hallowed walls of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is not just a tweak, a nudge in policy, or a subtle refinement of protocols. What we're observing is nothing short of a paradigmatic shift, a recalibration of systemic magnitude, that aims to recalibrate the way India's financial monoliths oversee, manage, and secure their informational bedrock – their treasured IT systems.
On the 7th of November, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India, that bastion of monetary oversight and national fiscal stability, unfurled a new doctrine – the 'Master Direction on Information Technology Governance, Risk, Controls, and Assurance Practices.' A document comprehensive in its reach, it presents not merely an update but a consolidation of all previously issued guidelines, instructions, and circulars relevant to IT governance, plaited into a seamless narrative that extols virtues of structured control and unimpeachable assurance practices. Moreover, it grasps the future potential of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Management, testaments to RBI's forward-thinking vision.
This novel edict has been crafted with a target audience that spans the varied gamut of financial entities – from Scheduled Commercial Banks to Non-Banking Financial Companies, from Credit Information Companies to All India Financial Institutions. These are the juggernauts that keep the economic wheels of the nation churning, and RBI's precision-guided document is an unambiguous acknowledgment of the vital role IT holds in maintaining the heartbeat of these financial bodies. Here lies a riveting declaration that robust governance structures aren't merely preferred but essential to manage the landscape of IT-related risks that balloon in an era of ever-proliferating digital complexity.
Directive Structure
The directive's structure is a combination of informed precision and intuitive foresight. Its seven chapters are not simply a grouping of topics; they are the seven pillars upon which the temple of IT governance is to be erected. The introductory chapter does more than set the stage – it defines the very reality, the scope, and the applicability of the directive, binding the reader in an inextricable covenant of engagement and anticipation. It's followed by a deep dive into the cradle of IT governance in the second chapter, drawing back the curtain to reveal the nuanced roles and defiant responsibilities bestowed upon the Board of Directors, the IT Strategy Committee, the clairvoyant Senior Management, the IT Steering Committee, and the pivotal Head of IT Function.
As we move along to the third chapter, we encounter the nuts and bolts of IT Infrastructure & Services Management. This is not just a checklist; it is an orchestration of the management of IT services, third-party liaisons, the calculus of capacity management, and the nuances of project management. Here terms like change and patch management, cryptographic controls, and physical and environmental safeguards leap from the page – alive with earnest practicality, demanding not just attention but action.
Transparency deepens as we glide into the fourth chapter with its robust exploration of IT and Information Security Risk Management. Here, the demand for periodic dissection of IT-related perils is made clear, along with the edifice of an IT and Information Security Risk Management Framework, buttressed by the imperatives of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing.
The fifth chapter presents a tableau of circumspection and preparedness, as it waxes eloquent on the necessity and architecture of a well-honed Business Continuity Plan and a disaster-ready DR Policy. It is a paean to the anticipatory stance financial institutions must employ in a world fraught with uncertainty.
Continuing the narrative, the sixth chapter places the spotlight on Information Systems Audit, delineating the precise role played by the Audit Committee of the Board in ushering in accountability through an exhaustive IS Audit of the institution's virtual expanse.
And as we perch on the final chapter, we're privy to the 'repeal and other provisions' of the directive, underscoring the interplay of other applicable laws and the interpretation a reader may yield from the directive's breadth.
Conclusion
To proclaim that this directive is a mere step forward in the RBI's exhaustive and assiduous efforts to propel India's financial institutions onto the digital frontier would be a grave understatement. What we are witnessing is the inception of a more adept, more secure, and more resilient financial sector. This directive is nothing less than a beacon, shepherding in an epoch of IT governance marked by impervious governance structures, proactive risk management, and an unyielding commitment to the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement. This is no ephemeral shift - this is, indisputably, a revolutionary stride into a future where confidence and competence stand as the watchwords in navigating the digital terra incognita.
