Sanchar Saathi Portal: A Solution for Mobile Phone Theft and Data Protection
Introduction
Lost your phone? How to track and block your lost or stolen phone? Fear not, Say hello to Sanchar Saathi, the newly launched portal by the government. The smartphone has become an essential part of our daily life, our lots of personal data are stored in our smartphones, and if a phone is lost or stolen, it can be a frustrating experience. With the government initiative launching Sanchar Saathi Portal, you can now track and block your lost or stolen smartphone. The Portal uses a central equipment identity register to help users block their lost phones. It helps you track your lost and stolen smartphone. So now, say hello to Sanchar Saathi, the newly launched portal by the government. Users should keep an FIR copy of their lost/stolen smartphone handy for using certain features of the portal. FIR copy is also required for tracking the phone on the website. This portal allows users to track lost/stolen smartphones, and they can block the device across all telecom networks.
Preventing Data Leakage and Mobile Phone Theft
When you lose your phone or your phone is stolen, you worry as your smartphone holds your various personal sensitive information such as your bank account information, UPI IDs, and social media accounts such as WhatsApp, which cause a serious concern of data leakage and misuse in such a situation. Sanchar saathi portal addresses this problem and serves as a platform for blocking data saved on a lost or stolen device. This feature protects the users against financial fraud, identity thrift, and data leakage by blocking access to your lost or stolen device and ensuring that unauthorised parties cannot access or abuse important information.
How the Sanchar Saathi Portal Works
To file a complaint regarding their lost or stolen smartphones the users are required to provide IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. The official website of the portal is https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/ users can access the “Citizen Centric Services” option on the homepage. Then users may, by clicking on “Block Your Lost/Stolen Mobile”, can fill out the form. Users need to fill in details such as IMEI number, contact number, model number of the smartphone, mobile purchase invoice, and information such as the date, time, district, and state where the device was lost or stolen. Users must keep a copy of the FIR handy and fill in their personal information, such as their name, email address, and residence. After completing and selecting the ‘Complete tab’, the form will be submitted, and access to the lost/stolen smartphone will be blocked.
Enhancing Security with SIM Card Verification
Using this portal, users can access their associated sim card numbers and block any unauthorised use. In this way portal allows owners to take immediate action if their sim card is being used or misused by someone else. The Sanchar Saathi Portal allows you to check the status of active SIM cards registered under an individual’s name. And it is an extra security feature provided by the portal. This proactive strategy helps users to safeguard their personal information against possible abuse and identity theft.
Advantages of the Sanchar Saathi Portal
The Sanchar Saathi platform offers various benefits for reducing mobile phone theft and protecting personal data. The portal offers a simplified and user-friendly platform for making complaints. The online complaint tracking function keeps consumers informed of the status of their complaints, increasing transparency and accountability.
The portal allows users to block access to personal data on lost/stolen smartphones which reduces the chances or potential risk of data leakage.
The portal SIM card verification feature acts as an extra layer of security, enabling users to monitor any unauthorised use of their personal information. This proactive approach empowers users to take immediate action if they detect any suspicious activity, preventing further damage to their personal data.
Conclusion
Our smartphones store large amounts of sensitive information and Data, so it becomes crucial to protect our smartphones from any unauthorised access, especially in case when the smartphone is lost or stolen. The Sanchar Saathi portal is a commendable step by the government by offering a comprehensive solution to combat mobile phone theft and protect personal data, the portal contributes to a safer digital environment for smartphone users.
The portal provides the option of blocking access to your lost/stolen device and also checking the SIM card verification. These features of the portal empower users to take control of their data security. In this way, the portal contributes to preventing mobile phone theft and data leakage.
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Incident Overview
Earlier this week, the Chinese media reported that several ‘Macau’ government websites were hacked, indicating a significant targeted cyberattack. The hacked website includes those of the office of the Secretary for Security, the public security police, the fire services department and the Security Forces Services Bureau. It was reported that the police have launched a criminal investigation to trace the source of the crime. Furthermore, officials believe the source of the intrusion was likely from overseas, and authorities have carried out an emergency response in conjunction with telecommunication operators to restore affected services on a priority basis. The densely populated Macau is a special administrative region on the south coast of China and the cyber attacks on the essential government website of China raise a serious concern.
Response and Mitigation
Macau's authorities carried out an emergency response in collaboration with telecommunication operators to restore regular services as a distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS) was reported to be carried out on certain government websites which resulted in the inactivity of those several websites. The country's security forces instructed Macau Telecom to investigate the incident and submit a report and improvement plan to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Context and Implications
The hack on the government websites of Macau is not a single incident; rather, it is a part of an increasing pattern of cyberattacks on the region's vital infrastructure. According to a recent report, the frequency of cybercrimes has tripled since 2020, targeting Macau's critical infrastructure, which is worrying. This pattern draws attention to the growing threats that public sector organisations and governments throughout the world confront.
Final Words
In light of such sophisticated attacks targeting vital infrastructure or critical government operations, it is imperative that the country ensure powerful cybersecurity strategies and measures. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, developing incident response planning, regular security checks, employee training on cyber hygiene, public awareness and capacity building and international collaboration to jointly develop and plan counteract strategies is a crucial step to build safeguards against such cyber threats.
The incident of a cyberattack on the government websites of Macau serves stark reminder of the evolving threats and cybersecurity challenges, it is a serious concern when critical government websites are compromised by malicious actors. It highlights the necessity for continuous vigilance and cybersecurity measures in place to counter such cyber attacks. A comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, the government can enhance their overall cybersecurity posture, establish resilience against such threats in future, and save the functionality of essential government websites.
References:
- https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/websites-of-office-of-the-secretary-for-security-targeted-in-a-cyber-attack.html
- https://www.reuters.com/world/china/several-macau-government-websites-hacked-says-chinese-state-media-2024-07-11/
- https://4imag.com/several-macau-government-websites-hacked-says-chinese-state-media/
- https://www.aol.com/news/several-macau-government-websites-hacked-001435511.htmlhttps://therecord.media/macau-government-websites-hit-with-cyberattack
- https://macaonews.org/news/city/macau-cyberattacks-cyber-security-attacks-macao/
Introduction
A photo circulating on social media depicting modified tractors is being misrepresented as part of the 'Delhi Chalo' farmers' protest narrative. In the recent swirl of misinformation surrounding the 'Delhi Chalo' farmers' protest. A photo, ostensibly showing a phalanx of modified tractors, has been making the rounds on social media platforms, falsely tethered to the ongoing protests. This image, accompanied by a headline suggesting a mechanical metamorphosis to resist police barricades, was allegedly published by a news agency. However, beneath the surface of this viral phenomenon lies a more complex and fabricated reality.
The Movement
The 'Delhi Chalo' movement, a clarion call that resonated with thousands of farmers from the fertile plains of Punjab, the verdant fields of Haryana, and the sprawling expanses of Uttar Pradesh, has been a testament to the agrarian community's demand for assured crop prices and legal guarantees for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The protest, which has seen the fortification of borders and the chaos at the Punjab-Haryana border on February 13, 2024, has become a crucible for the farmers' unyielding spirit.
Yet, amidst this backdrop of civil demonstration and discourse, a nefarious narrative of misinformation has taken root. The viral image, which has been shared with the fervour of wildfire, was accompanied by a screenshot of an article allegedly published by the news agency. This article, dated February 11, 2024, quoted an anonymous official who claimed that intelligence agencies had alerted the police to the protesters' plans to outfit tractors with hydraulic tools. The implication was clear: these machines had been transformed into battering rams against the bulwark of law enforcement.
The Pursuit of Truth
However, the India TV Fact Check team, in their relentless pursuit of truth, unearthed that the viral photo of these so-called modified tractors is nothing but a chimerical creation, a figment of artificial intelligence. Visual discrepancies betrayed its AI-generated nature.
This is not the first time that the misinformation has loomed over the farmers' protest. Previous instances, including a viral video of a modified tractor, have been debunked by the same fact-checking team. These efforts are a bulwark against the tide of false narratives that seek to muddy the waters of public understanding.
The claim that the photo depicted modified tractors intended for use in the ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmers' protest rally in Delhi on February 13, 2024, was a mirage.
The Fact Check
OpIndia, in their article, clarified that the photo used was a representative image created by AI and not a real photograph. To further scrutinize this viral photo, the HIVE AI detector tool was employed, indicating a 99.4% likelihood of the image being AI-generated. Thus, the claim made in the post was misleading.
The viral photo claiming that farmers had modified their tractors to avoid tear gas shells and remove barricades put up by the police during the rally was a digital illusion. The internet has become a fertile ground for the rapid spread of misinformation, reaching millions in an instant. Social media, with its complex algorithms, amplifies this spread, as any interaction, even those intended to debunk false information, inadvertently increases its reach. This phenomenon is exacerbated by 'echo chambers,' where users are exposed to a homogenous stream of content that reinforces their pre-existing beliefs, making it difficult to encounter and consider alternative perspectives.
Conclusion
The viral image depicting modified tractors for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmers' protest rally was a digital fabrication, a testament to the power of AI in creating convincing yet false narratives. As we navigate the labyrinth of information in the digital era, it is imperative to remain vigilant, to question the veracity of what we see and hear, and to rely on the diligent work of fact-checkers in discerning the truth. The mirage of modified machines serves as a stark reminder of the potency of misinformation and the importance of critical thinking in the age of artificial intelligence.
References
- https://www.indiatvnews.com/fact-check/fact-check-ai-generated-tractor-photo-misrepresented-delhi-chalo-farmers-protest-narrative-msp-police-barricades-punjab-haryana-uttar-pradesh-2024-02-15-917010
- https://factly.in/this-viral-image-depicting-modified-tractors-for-the-delhi-chalo-farmers-protest-rally-is-created-using-ai/
Introduction
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has unanimously adopted the first global resolution on Artificial Intelligence (AI), encouraging countries to take into consideration human rights, keeping personal data safe, and further monitoring the threats associated with AI. This non-binding resolution proposed by the United States and co-sponsored by China and over 120 other nations advocates the strengthening of privacy policies. This step is crucial for governments across the world to shape how AI grows because of the dangers it carries that could undermine the protection, promotion, and right to human dignity and fundamental freedoms. The resolution emphasizes the importance of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the life cycle of AI systems, highlighting the benefits of digital transformation and safe AI systems.
Key highlights
● This is indeed a landmark move by the UNGA, which adopted the first global resolution on AI. This resolution encourages member countries to safeguard human rights, protect personal data, and monitor AI for risks.
● Global leaders have shown their consensus for safe, secure, trustworthy AI systems that advance sustainable development and respect fundamental freedom.
● Resolution is the latest in a series of initiatives by governments around the world to shape AI. Therefore, AI will have to be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, Safety and Security, human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the life cycle of AI systems.
● UN resolution encourages global cooperation, warns against improper AI use, and emphasizes the issues of human rights.
● The resolution aims to protect from potential harm and ensure that everyone can enjoy its benefits. The United States has worked with over 120 countries at the United Nations, including Russia, China, and Cuba, to negotiate the text of the resolution adopted.
Brief Analysis
AI has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with chatbots such as the Chat GPT taking the world by storm. AI has been steadily attempting to replicate human-like thinking and solve problems. Furthermore, machine learning, a key aspect of AI, involves learning from experience and identifying patterns to solve problems autonomously. The contemporary emergence of AI has, however, raised questions about its ethical implications, potential negative impact on society, and whether it is too late to control it.
While AI is capable of solving problems quickly and performing various tasks with ease, it also has its own set of problems. As AI continues to grow, global leaders have called for regulations to prevent significant harm due to the unregulated AI landscape to the world and encourage the use of trustworthy AI. The European Union (EU) has come up with an AI act called the “European AI Act”. Recently, a Senate bill called “The AI Consent Bill” was introduced in the US. Similarly, India is also proactively working towards setting the stage for a more regulated Al landscape by fostering dialogues and taking significant measures. Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory on AI, which requires explicit permission to deploy under-testing or unreliable AI models related to India's Internet. The following advisory also indicates measures advocating to combat deepfakes or misinformation.
AI has thus become a powerful tool that has raised concerns about its ethical implications and the potential negative influence on society. Governments worldwide are taking action to regulate AI and ensure that it remains safe and effective. Now, the groundbreaking move of the UNGA, which adopted the global resolution on AI, with the support of all 193 U.N. member nations, shows the true potential of efforts by countries to regulate AI and promote safe and responsible use globally.
New AI tools have emerged in the public sphere, which may threaten humanity in an unexpected direction. AI is able to learn by itself through machine learning to improve itself, and developers often are surprised by the emergent abilities and qualities of these tools. The ability to manipulate and generate language, whether with words, images, or sounds, is the most important aspect of the current phase of the ongoing AI Revolution. In the future, AI can have several implications. Hence, it is high time to regulate AI and promote the safe, secure and responsible use of it.
Conclusion
The UNGA has approved its global resolution on AI, marking significant progress towards creating global standards for the responsible development and employment of AI. The resolution underscores the critical need to protect human rights, safeguard personal data, and closely monitor AI technologies for potential hazards. It calls for more robust privacy regulations and recognises the dangers associated with improper AI systems. This profound resolution reflects a unified stance among UN member countries on overseeing AI to prevent possible negative effects and promote safe, secure and trustworthy AI.
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