#FactCheck: IAF Shivangi Singh was captured by Pakistan army after her Rafale fighter jet was shot down

Overview:

It is worth stating that millions of Windows users around the world are facing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) problem that makes systems shutdown or restart. This has been attributed to a CrowdStrike update that was released recently and has impacted many organizations, financial institutions, and government agencies across the globe. Indian airlines have also reported disruptions on X (formerly Twitter), informing passengers about the issue.

Understanding Blue Screen of Death:

Blue Screen errors, also known as black screen errors or STOP code errors, can occur due to critical issues forcing Windows to shut down or restart. You may encounter messages like "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer." These errors can be caused by hardware or software problems.

Impact on Industries

Some of the large U. S. airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines had to issue ground stops because of communication problems. Also, several airports on Friday suffered a massive technical issue in check-in kiosks for IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express.

The Widespread Issue

The issue seems widespread and is causing disruption across the board as Windows PCs are deployed at workplaces and other public entities like airlines, banks, and even media companies. It has been pointed out that Windows PCs use a special cybersecurity solution from a company called CrowdStrike that seems to be the culprit for this outage, affecting most Windows PC users out there.

Microsoft's Response

The issue was acknowledged by Microsoft and the mitigations are underway. The company in its verified X handle Microsoft 365 status has shared a series information on the latest outage and they are looking into the matter. The issue is under investigation.

In one of the posts from Microsoft Azure, it is mentioned that they have become aware of an issue affecting Virtual Machines (VMs) running Windows Client and Windows Server with the CrowdStrike Falcon agent installed. These VMs may encounter a bug check (BSOD) and become stuck in a restarting state. Their analysis indicates that this issue started approximately at 19:00 UTC on July 18th. They have provided recommendations as follows:

Restore from Backup:   In case customers have available backups prior to 19:00 UTC on July 18th, they should recover VM data from the backups. If the customer is using Azure Backup, they can get exact steps on how to restore VM data in the Azure portal. here.

Offline OS Disk Repair: Alternatively, customers can attempt offline repair of the OS disk by attaching an unmanaged disk to the affected VM. Encrypted disks may require additional steps to unlock before repair. Once attached, delete the following file:

Windows/System/System32/Drivers/CrowdStrike/C00000291*.sys 

After deletion, reattach the disk to the original VM.

Microsoft Azure is actively investigating additional mitigation options for affected customers. We will provide updates as we gather more information.

Resolving Blue Screen Errors in Windows

Windows 11 & Windows 10:

Blue Screen errors can stem from both hardware and software issues. If new hardware was added before the error, try removing it and restarting your PC. If restarting is difficult, start your PC in Safe Mode.

To Start in Safe Mode:

From Settings:

Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

Under "Advanced startup," select Restart now.

After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

After your PC restarts, you'll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start in Safe Mode. If you need to use the internet, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

From the Sign-in Screen:

Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select Power > Restart.

After your PC restarts, follow the steps above.

From a Black or Blank Screen:

Press the power button to turn off your device, then turn it back on. Repeat this two more times.

After the third time, your device will start in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

From the Choose an option screen, follow the steps to enter Safe Mode.

Additional Help:

Windows Update: Ensure your system has the latest patches.

Blue Screen Troubleshooter: In Windows, open Get Help, type Troubleshoot BSOD error, and follow the guided walkthrough.

Online Troubleshooting: Visit Microsoft's support page and follow the recommendations under "Recommended Help."

If none of those steps help to resolve your Blue Screen error, please try the Blue Screen Troubleshooter in the Get Help app:

• In Windows, open Get Help.
• In the Get Help app, type Troubleshoot BSOD error.
• Follow the guided walkthrough in the Get Help app.

[Note: If you're not on a Windows device, you can run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter on your browser by going to Contact Microsoft Support and typing Troubleshoot BSOD error. Then follow the guided walkthrough under "Recommended Help."]

For detailed steps and further assistance, please refer to the Microsoft support portal or contact their support team.

CrowdStrike’s Response:

In the statement given by CrowdStrike, they have clearly mentioned it is not any cyberattack and their resources are working to fix the issue on Windows. Further, they have identified the deployment issue and fixed the same. Crowdstrike mentions about their problematic versions as follows:

• “Channel file "C-00000291*.sys" with timestamp of 0527 UTC or later is the reverted (good) version.
• Channel file "C-00000291*.sys" with timestamp of 0409 UTC is the problematic version.

Note: It is normal for multiple "C-00000291*.sys files to be present in the CrowdStrike directory - as long as one of the files in the folder has a timestamp of 0527 UTC or later, that will be the active content.”

The CrowdStrike will be providing latest updates on the same and advises their customers and organizations to contact their officials officially to get latest updates and accurate information. It is encouraged to refer to customer’s support portal for further help.

Stay safe and ensure regular backups to mitigate the impact of such issues.

References:

https://status.cloud.microsoft/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/resolving-blue-screen-errors-in-windows-60b01860-58f2-be66-7516-5c45a66ae3c6

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/statement-on-falcon-content-update-for-windows-hosts/ 

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Introduction

As our experiments with Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) continue, companies and individuals look for new ways to incorporate and capitalise on it. This also includes big tech companies betting on their potential through investments. This process also sheds light on how such innovations are being carried out, used, and affect other stakeholders. Google’s AI overview feature has raised concerns from various website publishers and regulators. Recently, Chegg, a US-based tech education company that provides online resources for high school and college students, has filed a lawsuit against Google alleging abuse of monopoly over the searching mechanism.

Legal Background

Google’s AI Overview/Search Generative Experience (SGE) is a feature that incorporates AI into its standard search tool and helps summarise search results. This is then presented at the top, over the other published websites, when one looks for the search result. Although the sources of the information present are linked, they are half-covered, and it is ambiguous to tell which claims made by the AI come from which link. This creates an additional step for the searcher as, to find out the latter, their user interface requires the searcher to click on a drop-down box. Individual publishers and companies like Chegg have argued that such summaries deter their potential traffic and lead to losses as they continue to bid higher for advertisement services that Google offers, only to have their target audience discouraged from visiting their websites. What is unique about the lawsuit that has been filed by Chegg, is that it is based on anti-trust law rather than copyright law, which it has dealt with previously. In August 2024, a US Federal Judge had ruled that Google had an illegal monopoly over internet search and search text advertising markets, and by November, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its proposed remedy. Some of them were giving advertisers and publishers more control of their data flowing through Google’s products, opening Google’s search index to the rest of the market, and imposing public oversight over Google’s AI investments. Currently, the DOJ has emphasised its stand on dismantling the search monopoly through structural separations, i.e., divesting Google of Chrome. The company is slated to defend itself before the DC District Court Judge Amit Mehta starting April 20, 2025.

CyberPeace Insights

As per a report by Statista (Global market share of leading search engines 2015-2025), Google, as the market leader, held a search traffic share of around 89.62 per cent. It is also stated that its advertising services account for the majority of its revenue, which amounted to a total of 305.63 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. The inclusion of the AI feature is undoubtedly changing how we search for things online. Benefits for users include an immediate, convenient scan of general information pertaining to the looked-up subject, but it may also raise concerns on the part of the website publishers and their loss of ad revenue owing to fewer impressions/clicks. Even though links (sources) are mentioned, they are usually buried. Such a searching mechanism questions the incentive on both ends- the user to explore various viewpoints, as people are now satisfied with the first few results that pop up, and the incentive for a creator/publisher to create new content as well as generate an income out of it. There might be a shift to more passive consumption rather than an active one, where one looks up/or is genuinely searching for information.

Conclusion

AI might make life more convenient, but in this case, it might also take away from small businesses, their finances, and the results of their hard work. It is also necessary for regulators, publishers, and users to continue asking such critical questions to keep the accountability of big tech giants in check, whilst not compromising their creations and publications.

References

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/05/13/google-ai-search-io-sge/
• https://www.theverge.com/news/619051/chegg-google-ai-overviews-monopoly
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/google-leans-further-into-ai-generated-overviews-for-its-search-engine/articleshow/118742139.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/technology/google-search-antitrust-judge.html
• https://www.odinhalvorson.com/monopoly-and-misuse-googles-strategic-ai-narrative/
• https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/artificial-intelligence/google-leans-further-into-ai-generated-overviews-for-its-search-engine/118748621
• https://www.techpolicy.press/the-elephant-in-the-room-in-the-google-search-case-generative-ai/
• https://www.karooya.com/blog/proposed-remedies-break-googles-monopoly-antitrust/
• https://getellipsis.com/blog/googles-monopoly-and-the-hidden-brake-on-ai-innovation/
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/266249/advertising-revenue-of-google/#:~:text=Google:%20annual%20advertising%20revenue%202001,local%20products%20are%20more%20preferred.
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/1381664/worldwide-all-devices-market-share-of-search-engines/
• https://www.techpolicy.press/doj-sets-record-straight-of-whats-needed-to-dismantle-googles-search-monopoly/

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Introduction

Google is committed to supporting the upcoming elections in India by providing high-quality information to voters, safeguarding platforms from abuse, and helping people navigate AI-generated content. Google will connect voters to helpful information through enhanced features, collaborating with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide voting information in both English and Hindi. Emphasis is also placed on showcasing authoritative information on YouTube. YouTube will highlight authoritative news sources and offer context on topics prone to misinformation. YouTube also appends information panels directing viewers to the Election Commission of India's FAQs. This support will help millions of eligible voters navigate the electoral process and ensure a fair and transparent election process.

Key Highlights of Google’s Approach

The step taken by Google will support the democratic process during the upcoming General Election in India. The initiative focuses on three main pillars: disseminating information, tackling misinformation, and navigating AI-generated content.  Google is enhancing its Search and YouTube features to provide essential election-related information, including voter registration, polling guidelines, and candidate profiles. Google is also addressing the challenges posed by AI-generated content by offering clarity on content origins, particularly for election-related ads and YouTube videos. Google has strict policies and restrictions regarding who can run election-related advertising on its platforms, including identity verification, pre-certificates, and in-ad disclosures. Additionally, Google is utilising tools and policies like Ads disclosures, content labels on YouTube, and digital watermarking to help users to identify AI-generated content.

Google has joined hands with ECI

The tech giant Google is partnering with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide voting information on Google Search in both English and Hindi. YouTube will feature election information panels, including candidate profiles and registration guidelines, ensuring users have access to authoritative sources. Google's recommendation system will display content from trusted publishers on election-related topics. Protecting the integrity of elections is a top priority, and the company is employing advanced AI models and machine learning techniques to identify and remove content that violates its policies at scale. A dedicated team of local experts across major Indian languages is assigned to provide relevant context and ensure swift action against emerging threats. Google is also tightening up who can advertise on its platforms, requiring advertisers to undergo an identity verification process and obtain a pre-certificate from the ECI or authorised entities for each election ad they wish to run.

Tackling Electoral Misinformation

Google is enhancing its platform security measures to prevent misinformation. It is using AI models and human expertise to identify and address policy violations, while stringent verification processes and disclosures are being implemented to maintain user trust.

Collaborations to promote reliable information

Google is supporting the Shakti, India Election Fact-Checking Collective, a consortium of news publishers and fact checkers to detect online misinformation, including deepfakes. The project will provide news entities and fact checkers with essential training in fact-checking methodologies, deepfake detection, and the latest Google tools to streamline verification processes, as stated in Google’s blog post.

Conclusion

Google has taken proactive steps to ensure a secure electoral process during the upcoming general elections in India. These include preventing the misuse of false information by helping voters navigate AI-generated content and safeguarding its platforms from abuse. Google India has built faster and more adaptable enforcement systems with recent advances in its Large Language Models (LLMs), enabling the company to remain nimble and take action quickly when new threats emerge. Google is dedicated to collaborating with government, industry, and civil society to provide voters with reliable and trustworthy online information. Google is implementing a comprehensive strategy to empower voters, safeguard its platforms, and combat misinformation in India's upcoming general elections. Google’s step is commendable and aims to ensure a secure electoral process, empowering millions of citizens to exercise their democratic rights.

References:

• https://blog.google/intl/en-in/company-news/outreach-initiatives/supporting-the-2024-indian-general-election/
• https://inc42.com/buzz/following-gemini-row-google-strengthens-checks-on-ai-generated-content-before-elections/#:~:text=In%20an%20effort%20to%20ensure,safeguarding%20its%20platforms%20from%20abuse
• https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news/google-introduces-enhanced-tools-for-supporting-elections-in-india-2024-03-12-921096
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/google-ties-up-with-eci-to-prevent-spread-of-false-information/articleshow/108431021.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/google-joins-hands-with-election-commission-of-india-to-help-voters-via-search-youtube-421112-2024-03-12
• https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/google-2024-general-elections-support-9209588/

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