#FactCheck-Mosque fire in India? False, it's from Indonesia

Introduction

The use of digital information and communication technologies for healthcare access has been on the rise in recent times. Mental health care is increasingly being provided through online platforms by remote practitioners, and even by AI-powered chatbots, which use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) processes to simulate conversations between the platform and a user. Thus, AI chatbots can provide mental health support from the comfort of the home, at any time of the day, via a mobile phone.  While this has great potential to enhance the mental health care ecosystem, such chatbots can present technical and ethical challenges as well.

Background

According to the WHO’s World Mental Health Report of 2022, every 1 in 8 people globally is estimated to be suffering from some form of mental health disorder. The need for mental health services worldwide is high but the supply of a care ecosystem is inadequate both in terms of availability and quality. In India, it is estimated that there are only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000 patients and only 30% of the mental health patients get help. Considering the slow thawing of social stigma regarding mental health, especially among younger demographics and support services being confined to urban Indian centres, the demand for a telehealth market is only projected to grow. This paves the way for, among other tools, AI-powered chatbots to fill the gap in providing quick, relatively inexpensive, and easy access to mental health counseling services.

Challenges

Users who seek mental health support are already vulnerable, and AI-induced oversight can exacerbate distress due to some of the following reasons: 

1. Inaccuracy: Apart from AI’s tendency to hallucinate data, chatbots may simply provide incorrect or harmful advice since they may be trained on data that is not representative of the specific physiological and psychological propensities of various demographics. 
2. Non-Contextual Learning: The efficacy of mental health counseling often relies on rapport-building between the service provider and client, relying on circumstantial and contextual factors. Machine learning models may struggle with understanding interpersonal or social cues, making their responses over-generalised. 
3. Reinforcement of Unhelpful Behaviors: In some cases, AI chatbots, if poorly designed, have the potential to reinforce unhealthy thought patterns. This is especially true for complex conditions such as OCD, treatment for which requires highly specific therapeutic interventions. 
4. False Reassurance: Relying solely on chatbots for counseling may create a partial sense of safety, thereby discouraging users from approaching professional mental health support services. This could reinforce unhelpful behaviours and exacerbate the condition. 
5. Sensitive Data Vulnerabilities: Health data is sensitive personal information. Chatbot service providers will need to clarify how health data is stored, processed, shared, and used. Without strong data protection and transparency standards, users are exposed to further risks to their well-being. 

Way Forward

1. Addressing Therapeutic Misconception: A lack of understanding of the purpose and capabilities of such chatbots, in terms of care expectations and treatments they can offer, can jeopardize user health. Platforms providing such services should be mandated to lay disclaimers about the limitations of the therapeutic relationship between the platform and its users in a manner that is easy to understand. 
2. Improved Algorithm Design: Training data for these models must undertake regular updates and audits to enhance their accuracy, incorporate contextual socio-cultural factors for profile analysis, and use feedback loops from customers and mental health professionals. 
3. Human Oversight: Models of therapy where AI chatbots are used to supplement treatment instead of replacing human intervention can be explored. Such platforms must also provide escalation mechanisms in cases where human-intervention is sought or required. 

Conclusion

It is important to recognize that so far, there is no substitute for professional mental health services. Chatbots can help users gain awareness of their mental health condition and play an educational role in this regard, nudging them in the right direction, and provide assistance to both the practitioner and the client/patient. However, relying on this option to fill gaps in mental health services is not enough. Addressing this growing —and arguably already critical— global health crisis requires dedicated public funding to ensure comprehensive mental health support for all. 

Sources 

• https://www.who.int/news/item/17-06-2022-who-highlights-urgent-need-to-transform-mental-health-and-mental-health-care 
• https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/mental-healthcare-in-india-building-a-strong-ecosystem-for-a-sound-mind/105395767#:~:text=Indian%20mental%20health%20market%20is,access%20to%20better%20quality%20services. 
• https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1278186/full 

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Introduction

Cyber slavery has emerged as a serious menace. Offenders target innocent individuals, luring them with false promises of employment, only to capture them and subject them to horrific torture and forced labour. According to reports, hundreds of Indians have been imprisoned in 'Cyber Slavery' in certain Southeast Asian countries. Indians who have travelled to South Asian nations such as Cambodia in the hopes of finding work and establishing themselves have fallen victim to the illusion of internet slavery. According to reports, 30,000 Indians who travelled to this region on tourist visas between 2022 and 2024 did not return. India Today’s coverage demonstrated how survivors of cyber slavery who have somehow escaped and returned to India have talked about the terrifying experiences they had while being coerced into engaging in cyber slavery.

Tricked by a Job Offer, Trapped in Cyber Slavery

India Today aired testimonials of cyber slavery victims who described how they were trapped. One individual shared that he had applied for a well-paying job as an electrician in Cambodia through an agent in Delhi. However, upon arriving in Cambodia, he was offered a job with a Chinese company where he was forced to participate in cyber scam operations and online fraudulent activities.

He revealed that a personal system and mobile phone were provided, and they were compelled to cheat Indian individuals using these devices and commit cyber fraud. They were forced to work 12-hour shifts. After working there for several months, he repeatedly requested his agent to help him escape. In response, the Chinese group violently loaded him into a truck, assaulted him, and left him for dead on the side of the road. Despite this, he managed to survive. He contacted locals and eventually got in touch with his brother in India, and somehow, he managed to return home.

This case highlights how cyber-criminal groups deceive innocent individuals with the false promise of employment and then coerce them into committing cyber fraud against their own country. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), there has been a significant rise in cybercrimes targeting Indians, with approximately 45% of these cases originating from Southeast Asia.

CyberPeace Recommendations

Cyber slavery has developed as a serious problem, beginning with digital deception and progressing to physical torture and violent actions to commit fraudulent online acts. It is a serious issue that also violates human rights. The government has already taken note of the situation, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is taking proactive steps to address it. It is important for netizens to exercise due care and caution, as awareness is the first line of defence. By remaining vigilant, they can oppose and detect the digital deceit of phony job opportunities in foreign nations and the manipulative techniques of scammers. Netizens can protect themselves from significant threats that could harm their lives by staying watchful and double-checking information from reliable sources.

References

1. CyberPeace Highlights Cyber Slavery: A Serious Concern https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/cyber-slavery-a-serious-concern
2. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-today-operation-cyber-slaves-stories-of-golden-triangle-network-of-fake-job-offers-2642498-2024-11-29
3. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/cyber-slavery-survivors-narrate-harrowing-accounts-of-torture-2642540-2024-11-29?utm_source=washare

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Introduction

The global food industry is vast and complex, influencing consumer behaviour, policy, and health outcomes worldwide. However, misinformation within this sector is pervasive, with significant consequences for public health and market dynamics. Misinformation can arise from various sources, including misleading marketing campaigns, unsubstantiated health claims, and misrepresentation of food production practices through public endorsement or otherwise. Nutrition misinformation is one such example. The promotion of false or unproven products for profit can lead to mislead consumers and affect their interests. Misleading claims and inaccurate information about the nutritional value of food products and processes are common claims. The misinformation created about food on the global stage distorts public understanding of nutrition, food safety, and environmental impacts, leading to significant consequences for public health, consumer trust, and the economy.

Rise of Nutritional Misinformation and Consumer Distrust

Health and nutrition-related misinformation is one of the most prevalent types in the food sector. Businesses frequently advertise their products as "natural" or "healthy" without providing sufficient data to back up these claims, tricking customers into buying goods that might be heavy in fat, sugar, or salt. Words like "superfood" are frequently used without supporting evidence from science, giving the impression that they are healthier.

Misinformation also impacts the sustainability and ethics of food production. Claims of "sustainable" or "ethical" sourcing are frequently exaggerated or fabricated, leaving consumers unaware of the true environmental and social costs associated with certain products.

This lack of clarity is not only observed in general food trends but also within organisations meant to provide trustworthy information. There has been significant criticism, directed at the International Food Information Council (IFIC), for their alleged promotion of nutrition-based misinformation to safeguard the interests of large food corporations, resulting in potentially compromising public health. The preemptive claims that IFIC made about the nutritive claims have been questioned by the National Institutes of Health, USA in November 2022. They reported in their study that IFIC promotes food and beverage company interests and undermines the accurate dissemination of scientific evidence related to diet and health. This was in support of the objective of the study, which was to determine whether, there have been many claims that the nutritional value of certain foods or diets may be manipulated to favour business goals, leaving consumers misinformed about what constitutes a truly healthy diet.

Another source of misinformation is the growing ‘Free-From’ fad. The “free-from” label in the US is a food category of products that claim to be free from certain ingredients or chemicals. It has been steadily growing by 7% annually. These labels often tout products as healthier due to a simpler ingredient list. Although seemingly harmless, transparency in ingredient disclosure is often obscured in the 'free-from' trend. This can lead to consumer distrust in the long run, making them hesitant.

The Harmful Effects of Food Misinformation

The effects of misinformation about nutrition and food safety can directly affect public health.
Consumers unknowingly may accept false claims or avoid certain foods without scientific basis and adopt harmful dietary habits, potentially leading to malnutrition or other health problems. By the time the realisation sets in about being misled, their trust is eroded not only towards such companies but also towards the regulators. This distrust can lead to declining consumer confidence and disrupt market stability. 

Some food-related misinformation downplays the environmental impact that certain food production practices have. An example of such a situation is the promotion of meat alternatives as being entirely eco-friendly without considering all environmental factors. This can mislead consumers and obscure the complex environmental effects of food production systems. 

Misinformation can distort consumer purchasing habits, potentially leading to a reduced demand for certain products and unfair competition. The sufferers in this case are the small-scale producers who suffer disproportionately, while the large corporations might use this misinformation to maintain their dominance in the market. Regulatory checks, open communication, and public education campaigns are needed to combat mis/disinformation in the global food sector and enable consumers to make decisions that are sustainable, healthful and informed.

CyberPeace Recommendations

• Unfair trade practices like providing misleading information or unchecked claims on food products should be better addressed by the regulators. Companies must provide clear, transparent and accurate information about their products as mandated under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. This information should include the true origins, production methods, and nutritional content on their labels.
• Promotions of initiatives and investments by public health organisations and food authorities towards educating consumers and improving food literacy should encouraged. 
• Regulating social media endorsement is also crucial to prevent the spread of misinformation and unchecked claims. Without proper due diligence on product details, influencers may unknowingly mislead their audience, causing potential harm. 
• The Social Media Platforms can partner with nutritionists, dietitians, and other health professionals who are content creators, as they can help in understanding and promoting accurate, science-based nutrition information and debunk any misleading claims.
• Campaigns should be encouraged to spread public awareness about the harms of food-related misleading claims or trends. Emphasis should be on evidence-based nutritional guidance. The ongoing research towards food safety, nutrition, and true information should be actively communicated to keep the public informed. Combating food misinformation requires more robust regulations, improved transparency, and heightened consumer awareness and vigilance.

References

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/label-claims-on-packaged-food-could-be-misleading-icmr/articleshow/110053363.cms 
• https://www.outlookindia.com/hub4business/empowering-change-freedom-food-alliance-takes-on-global-food-industry-misinformation 
• https://insightsnow.com/misinformation-hurting-food-business/ ‍
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9618198/pdf/12992_2022_Article_884.pdf