#FactCheck-Old Yogi Adityanath video falsely linked to Bihar encounter case

Introduction

As India moves full steam ahead towards a trillion-dollar digital economy, how user data is gathered, processed and safeguarded is under the spotlight. One of the most pervasive but least known technologies used to gather user data is the cookie. Cookies are inserted into every website and application to improve functionality, measure usage and customize content. But they also present enormous privacy threats, particularly when used without explicit user approval. 

In 2023, India passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) to give strong legal protection to data privacy. Though the act does not refer to cookies by name, its language leaves no doubt as to the inclusion of any technology that gathers or processes personal information and thus cookies regulation is at the centre of digital compliance in India. This blog covers what cookies are, how international legislation, such as the GDPR, has addressed them and how India's DPDP will regulate their use.

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What Are Cookies and Why Do They Matter?

Cookies are simply small pieces of data that a website stores in the browser. They were originally designed to help websites remember useful information about users, such as your login session or what is in your shopping cart. Netscape initially built them in 1994 to make web surfing more efficient. 

Cookies exist in various types. Session cookies are volatile and are deleted when the browser is shut down, whereas persistent cookies are stored on the device to monitor users over a period of time. First-party cookies are made by the site one is visiting, while third-party cookies are from other domains, usually utilised for advertisements or analytics. Special cookies, such as secure cookies, zombie cookies and tracking cookies, differ in intent and danger. They gather information such as IP addresses, device IDs and browsing history information associated with a person, thus making it personal data per the majority of data protection regulations.

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A Brief Overview of the GDPR and Cookie Policy

The GDPR regulates how personal data can be processed in general. However, if a cookie collects personal data (like IP addresses or identifiers that can track a person), then GDPR applies as well, because it sets the rules on how that personal data may be processed, what lawful bases are required, and what rights the user has.

The ePrivacy Directive (also called the “Cookie Law”) specifically regulates how cookies and similar technologies can be used. Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive says that storing or accessing information (such as cookies) on a user’s device requires prior, informed consent, unless the cookie is strictly necessary for providing the service requested by the user.

In the seminal Planet49 decision, the Court of Justice of the European Union held that pre-ticked boxes do not represent valid consent. Another prominent enforcement saw Amazon fined €35 million by France's CNIL for using tracking cookies without user consent.

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Cookies and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 does not refer to cookies specifically but its provisions necessarily come into play when cookies harvest personal data like user activity, IP addresses, or device data. According to DPDP, personal data is to be processed for legitimate purposes with the individual's consent. The consent has to be free, informed, clear and unambiguous. The individuals have to be informed of what data is collected, how it will be processed.. The Act also forbids behavioural monitoring and targeted advertising in the case of children.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT released the Business Requirements Document for Consent Management Systems (BRDCMS) in June 2025. Although it is not binding by law, it provides operational advice on cookie consent. It recommends that websites use cookie banners with "Accept," "Reject," and "Customize" choices. Users must be able to withdraw or change their consent at any moment. Multi-language handling and automatic expiry of cookie preferences are also suggested to suit accessibility and privacy requirements.

The DPDP Act and the BRDCMS together create a robust user-rights model, even in the absence of a special cookie law.

What Should Indian Websites Do?

For the purposes of staying compliant, Indian websites and online platforms need to act promptly to harmonise their use of cookies with DPDP principles. This begins with a transparent and simple cookie banner providing users with an opportunity to accept or decline non-essential cookies. Consent needs to be meaningful; coercive tactics such as cookie walls must not be employed. Websites need to classify cookies (e.g., necessary, analytics and ads) and describe each category's function in plain terms under the privacy policy. Users must be given the option to modify cookie settings anytime using a Consent Management Platform (CMP). Monitoring children or their behavioural information must be strictly off-limits.

These are not only about being compliant with the law, they're about adhering to ethical data stewardship and user trust building.

What Should Users Do?

Cookies need to be understood and controlled by users to maintain online personal privacy. Begin by reading cookie notices thoroughly and declining unnecessary cookies, particularly those associated with tracking or advertising. The majority of browsers today support blocking third-party cookies altogether or deleting them periodically.

It is also recommended to check and modify privacy settings on websites and mobile applications. It is possible to minimise surveillance with the use of browser add-ons such as ad blockers or privacy extensions. Users are also recommended not to blindly accept "accept all" in cookie notices and instead choose "customise" or "reject" where not necessary for their use.

Finally, keeping abreast of data rights under Indian law, such as the right to withdraw consent or to have data deleted, will enable people to reclaim control over their online presence.

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Conclusion

Cookies are a fundamental component of the modern web, but they raise significant concerns about individual privacy. India's DPDP Act, 2023, though not explicitly referring to cookies, contains an effective legal framework that regulates any data collection activity involving personal data, including those facilitated by cookies.

As India continues to make progress towards comprehensive rulemaking and regulation, companies need to implement privacy-first practices today. And so must the users, in an active role in their own digital lives. Collectively, compliance, transparency and awareness can build a more secure and ethical internet ecosystem where privacy is prioritised by design.

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References

• https://prsindia.org/billtrack/digital-personal-data-protection-bill-2023
• https://gdpr-info.eu/
• https://d38ibwa0xdgwxx.cloudfront.net/create-edition/7c2e2271-6ddd-4161-a46c-c53b8609c09d.pdf
• https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa
• https://www.barandbench.com/columns/cookie-management-under-the-digital-personal-data-protection-act-2023#:~:text=The%20Business%20Requirements%20Document%20for,the%20DPDP%20Act%20and%20Rules.
• https://samistilegal.in/cookies-meaning-legal-regulations-and-implications/#
• https://secureprivacy.ai/blog/india-digital-personal-data-protection-act-dpdpa-cookie-consent-requirements
• https://law.asia/cookie-use-india/‍
• https://www.cookielawinfo.com/major-gdpr-fines-2020-2021/#:~:text=4.,French%20websites%20could%20refuse%20cookies.

Introduction
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The recent advisory issued by CERT, issued on April 26^th, 2026, titled “Defending Against Frontier AI-Driven Cyber Risks”, on AI-driven cyber threats does not merely add to the list of routine cybersecurity warnings. Instead, it marks a shift in how cyber risk itself is understood. The concern, here, is not just that attacks are increasing, but also that their nature is changing. Artificial intelligence is no longer assisting cyber operations- whether legitimate or malicious, in fragments; it is beginning to organise and execute them at scale. 

What is emerging is a situation where capability is no longer tied to human skill alone. Systems can now identify vulnerabilities, generate exploits, and carry out coordinated attacks with limited intervention. This alters the baseline assumption of cybersecurity, that attacks require effort, time, and expertise.
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The Essence: Automation and Capability
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At the core of the advisory lies the recognition that AI has introduced speed and autonomy into cyber operations. Tasks such as analysing code, identifying vulnerabilities, or crafting phishing content are no longer sequential processes. They can happen almost simultaneously and at scale. 

This is not simply a matter of efficiency. It changes the structure of the threat itself. When attacks can be automated, they become repeatable and less dependent on specialised actors. The advisory also points to the ability of AI systems to conduct multi-stage attacks, moving across networks and adapting strategies in real time. 

In a way, the threat is no longer just external. It is embedded within the logics of the technology being used.

Significance: Lower Barriers, Wider Exposure

One of the more important aspects of the advisory is its emphasis on ‘accessibility’. AI lowers the barrier of complexity in the commission of cybercrimes. Activities that once required coordinated teams can now be performed by individuals with access to advanced tools. 

This has two consequences. First, the number of potential attackers increases. Second, the scale at which attacks can be carried out expands significantly. Systems that were previously considered low risk may become viable targets simply because automated tools can scan, test, and exploit them rapidly.

There is also a broader anxiety reflected in what is being described as “Mythos concerns”, a shorthand for uncertainty around frontier AI systems and their unpredictable capabilities. This signals that the risk is not fully mapped yet and that regulatory responses are still catching up.

Element of Continuous Risk

The advisory outlines impacts such as unauthorised access, data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud. These are familiar categories. What is less explicit, but more important, is the shift in how these harms occur.

When AI enables rapid and repeated exploitation, risk becomes continuous. Systems are not attacked once and then secured. They are exposed to ongoing attempts. This creates pressure not only on technical infrastructure but also on legal frameworks that are designed around discrete incidents.

For instance, obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000 or even emerging data protection frameworks often assume identifiable breaches and reportable events. Continuous probing complicates that model!

Response Framework: From Compliance to Vigilance

CERT-In’s recommendations reflect this change in threat perception. There is a clear emphasis on vigilance rather than mere compliance. Organisations are advised to adopt zero-trust approaches, reduce exposure surfaces, and treat vulnerabilities as immediately exploitable.

The insistence on rapid patching within short timeframes is particularly telling. It acknowledges that the window between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation is shrinking.

There is also a noticeable expansion of responsibility. The advisory does not limit itself to large organisations. It extends guidance to the MSMEs and individuals, recognising that cyber risk is now distributed across the entire digital ecosystem.

A Subtle Legal Shift

Although the advisory itself is not binding in law, it operates within the framework of Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers CERT-In to issue directions on cybersecurity best practices and guidelines.

So, while the advisory does not create liability directly, it influences what may later be considered ‘reasonable security practice’. In that sense, it serves as soft law, gradually informing standards of due diligence.

At the same time, there remains a gap. The advisory focuses on defensive measures, but it does not fully address attribution and accountability in AI driven attacks. When actions are automated and anonymised, identifying responsibility and imposing liability becomes more complex.
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Conclusion
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The CERT In advisory is not just a warning about new threats. It is an acknowledgement of a transition. Cyber risk is moving from being occasional and targeted to being constant and scalable. AI is not simply adding to existing threats; it is restructuring and advancing them.

For cyber vigilance frameworks, this suggests a need to rethink priorities. Static compliance measures are no longer sufficient. It has become necessary to adopt continuous monitoring, adaptive responses, and a clearer understanding of how technology is reshaping risk.

While the advisory does not resolve these questions, it does bring them into focus. And that, in itself, is significant.

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References
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1. CERT-In issues advisory against AI driven cyber attacks for MSMEs, organisations and individuals, Moneycontrol (Apr. 27, 2026), https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/cert-in-issues-advisory-against-ai-driven-cyber-attacks-for-msmes-organisations-and-individuals-article-13899942.html.
2. CERT-In warns of rising AI driven cyber threats amid Mythos concerns, Ommcom News (2026), https://ommcomnews.com/science-tech/cert-in-warns-of-rising-ai-driven-cyber-threats-amid-mythos-concerns/.
3. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Defending Against Frontier AI Driven Cyber Risks, Advisory No. CIAD-2026-0020 (Apr. 26, 2026)
4. Information Technology Act, 2000, § 70B (India).

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Executive Summary:

A number of false information is spreading across social media networks after the users are sharing the mistranslated video with Indian Hindus being congratulated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya under Uttar Pradesh state. Our CyberPeace Research Team’s investigation clearly reveals that those allegations are based on false grounds. The true interpretation of the video that actually is revealed as Meloni saying thank you to those who wished her a happy birthday.

Claims:

A X (Formerly known as Twitter) user’ shared a 13 sec video where Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaking in Italian and user claiming to be congratulating India for Ram Mandir Construction, the caption reads, 

“Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Message to Hindus for Ram Mandir #RamMandirPranPratishta. #Translation : Best wishes to the Hindus in India and around the world on the Pran Pratistha ceremony. By restoring your prestige after hundreds of years of struggle, you have set an example for the world. Lots of love.”

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Fact Check:

The CyberPeace Research team tried to translate the Video in Google Translate. First, we took out the transcript of the Video using an AI transcription tool and put it on Google Translate; the result was something else.

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The Translation reads, “Thank you all for the birthday wishes you sent me privately with posts on social media, a lot of encouragement which I will treasure, you are my strength, I love you.”

With this we are sure that it was not any Congratulations message but a thank you message for all those who sent birthday wishes to the Prime Minister. 

We then did a reverse Image Search of frames of the Video and found the original Video on the Prime Minister official X Handle uploaded on 15 Jan, 2024 with caption as, “Grazie. Siete la mia” Translation reads, “Thank you. You are my strength!”

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Conclusion:

The 13 Sec video shared by a user had a great reach at X as a result many users shared the Video with Similar Caption. A Misunderstanding starts from one Post and it spreads all. The Claims made by the X User in Caption of the Post is totally misleading and has no connection with the actual post of Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaking in Italian. Hence, the Post is fake and Misleading.

• Claim:  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Hindus in the context of Ram Mandir
• Claimed on: X
• Fact Check: Fake

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