#Fact Check: Pakistan’s Airstrike Claim Uses Video Game Footage
Executive Summary:
A widely circulated claim on social media, including a post from the official X account of Pakistan, alleges that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out an airstrike on India, supported by a viral video. However, according to our research, the video used in these posts is actually footage from the video game Arma-3 and has no connection to any real-world military operation. The use of such misleading content contributes to the spread of false narratives about a conflict between India and Pakistan and has the potential to create unnecessary fear and confusion among the public.
Claim:
Viral social media posts, including the official Government of Pakistan X handle, claims that the PAF launched a successful airstrike against Indian military targets. The footage accompanying the claim shows jets firing missiles and explosions on the ground. The video is presented as recent and factual evidence of heightened military tensions.
Fact Check:
As per our research using reverse image search, the videos circulating online that claim to show Pakistan launching an attack on India under the name 'Operation Sindoor' are misleading. There is no credible evidence or reliable reporting to support the existence of any such operation. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has also verified that the video being shared is false and misleading. During our research, we also came across footage from the video game Arma-3 on YouTube, which appears to have been repurposed to create the illusion of a real military conflict. This strongly indicates that fictional content is being used to propagate a false narrative. The likely intention behind this misinformation is to spread fear and confusion by portraying a conflict that never actually took place.
Conclusion:
It is true to say that Pakistan is using the widely shared misinformation videos to attack India with false information. There is no reliable evidence to support the claim, and the videos are misleading and irrelevant. Such false information must be stopped right away because it has the potential to cause needless panic. No such operation is occurring, according to authorities and fact-checking groups.
- Claim: Viral social media posts claim PAF attack on India
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
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Introduction
In a setback to the Centre, the Bombay High Court on Friday 20th September 2024, struck down the provisions under IT Amendment Rules 2023, which empowered the Central Government to establish Fact Check Units (FCUs) to identify ‘fake and misleading’ information about its business on social media platforms.
Chronological Overview
- On 6th April 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Amendment Rules, 2023). These rules introduced new provisions to establish a fact-checking unit with respect to “any business of the central government”. This amendment was done In exercise of the powers conferred by section 87 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. (IT Act).
- On 20 March 2024, the Central Government notified the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as FCU under rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2023 (IT Amendment Rules 2023).
- The next day on 21st March 2024, the Supreme Court stayed the Centre's decision on notifying PIB -FCU, considering the pendency of the proceedings before the High Court of Judicature at Bombay. A detailed analysis covered by CyberPeace on the Supreme Court Stay decision can be accessed here.
- In the latest development, the Bombay High Court on 20th September 2024, struck down the provisions under IT Amendment Rules 2023, which empowered the Central Government to establish Fact Check Units (FCUs) to identify ‘fake and misleading’ information about its business on social media platforms.
Brief Overview of Bombay High Court decision dated 20th September 2024
Justice AS Chandurkar was appointed as the third judge after a split verdict in January 2023 by a division bench consisting of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhal. As a Tie-breaker judge' Justice AS Chandurkar delivered the decision striking down provisions for setting up a Fact Check Unit under IT amendment 2023 rules. Striking down the Centre's proposed fact check unit provision, Justice A S Chandurkar of Bombay High Court also opined that there was no rationale to undertake an exercise in determining whether information related to the business of the Central govt was fake or false or misleading when in digital form but not doing the same when such information was in print. It was also contended that there is no justification to introduce an FCU only in relation to the business of the Central Government. Rule 3(1)(b)(v) has a serious chilling effect on the exercise of the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution since the communication of the view of the FCU will result in the intermediary simply pulling down the content for fear of consequences or losing the safe harbour provision given under IT Act.
Justice Chandurkar held that the expressions ‘fake, false or misleading’ are ‘vague and overbroad’, and that the ‘test of proportionality’ is not satisfied. Rule 3(1)(b)(v), was violative of Articles 14 and 19 (1) (a) and 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution and it is “ultra vires”, or beyond the powers, of the IT Act.
Role of Expert Organisations in Curbing Mis/Disinformation and Fake News
In light of the recent developments, and the rising incidents of Mis/Disinformation and Fake News it becomes significantly important that we all stand together in the fight against these challenges. The actions against Mis/Disinformation and fake news should be strengthened by collective efforts, the expert organisations like CyberPeace Foundation plays an key role in enabling and encouraging netizens to exercise caution and rely on authenticated sources, rather than solely rely on govt FCU to block the content.
Mis/Disinformation and Fake News should be stopped, identified and countered by netizens at the very first stage of its spread. In light of the Bombay High Court's decision to stuck down the provision related to setting up the FCU by the Central Government, it entails that the government's intention to address misinformation related solely to its business/operations may not have been effectively communicated in the eyes of the judiciary.
It is high time to exercise collective efforts against Mis/Disinformation and Fake News and support expert organizations who are actively engaged in conducting proactive measures, and campaigns to target these challenges, specifically in the online information landscape. CyberPeace actively publishes fact-checking reports and insights on Prebunking and Debunking, conducts expert sessions and takes various key steps aimed at empowering netizens to build cognitive defences to recognise the susceptible information, disregard misleading claims and prevent further spreads to ensure the true online information landscape.
References:
- https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2024/09/20/bombay-high-court-it-rules-amendment-2023-fact-check-units-article14-article19-legal-news/#:~:text=Bombay%20High%20Court%3A%20A%20case,grounds%20that%20it%20violated%20constitutional
- https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-strikes-down-it-act-amendment-fact-check-unit-9579044/
- https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/supreme-court-stay-on-centres-notification-of-pibs-fact-check-unit-under-it-amendment-rules-2023
Executive Summary:
Recent reports circulating on various social media platforms have falsely claimed that an air taxi prototype is operational and providing services between Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jaipur. These claims, accompanied by images and videos, have been widely shared, leading to significant public attention. However, upon conducting a thorough examination using reverse image search, it has been determined that the information is misleading and inaccurate. These assertions do not reflect the current reality and are not substantiated by credible sources
Claim:
The claim suggests that an air taxi prototype is already operational, servicing routes between Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jaipur. This assertion is accompanied by images of a futuristic aircraft, implying that such technology is currently being used to transport commercial passengers.
Fact Check:
The claim of air taxi and routes between Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jaipur has been found to be misleading. Also, so far, neither the Indian government nor the respective aviation authorities have issued any sort of public declarations nor industry insiders to claim any launch of any air taxi service. Further research followed a keyword-based search that directed us to a news report published in The Times of India on January 20, 2025. A similar post to the one seen in the viral video accompanied the report. It stated that Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Sarla Aviation launched its prototype air taxi called “Shunya” during the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. Under this plan, it looks to initiate electric flying taxis in Bangalore by 2028. This urban air transport program for India will be similar to what they are posting in this regard.
Conclusion:
The viral claim saying that there is an air taxi service in India between Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jaipur is entirely false. The pictures and information going viral are misleading and do not relate to any progress or implementation of air taxi technology in India. To date, there is no official confirmation or credible evidence that supports such a service. Information must be verified from reliable sources before it is believed or shared in order to prevent the spread of misinformation.
- Claim: A viral post claims an air taxi is operational between Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jaipur.
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Introduction
As technology advances, global connectivity becomes increasingly vital. Meta's "Project Waterworth" once completed, will reach five major continents and span over 50,000 km, making it the world’s longest subsea cable project using the highest-capacity technology available. This project is expected to bring industry-leading connectivity to the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions. It will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open opportunities for technological development in these regions.
In India, a project such as this will help accelerate this progress and support the country’s ambitious plans for its digital economy in cohesion with the significant growth and investment in digital infrastructure that is already underway. Subsea cable projects, such as Project Waterworth, are the backbone of global digital infrastructure, accounting for more than 95% of intercontinental traffic across the world’s oceans to seamlessly enable digital communication, video experiences, online transactions, and more.
Enhancing India's Digital Infrastructure
A subsea cable, or submarine cable, enhances global internet speed and reliability by carrying massive data volumes across ocean floors, connecting countries and continents. Compared to satellites, these cables offer greater stability and minimal disruptions.
Project Waterworth aims to build the world's longest 24-fibre pair cable, improving resilience and deployment speed. The project is expected to prevent the damages in high-risk areas, through the use of innovative routing with maximising deep-water placement (up to 7,000 meters) and enhanced burial techniques. This project will play a crucial role in the advancement of AI and emerging technologies, ensuring widespread access to their benefits in India.
CyberPeace Takeaways
The said project has the potential to have manifold implications ranging from economic and policy to India-US relations, data privacy and security concerns emerging from the increase in the data flows and others. A segregated list of takeaways is as follows:
- Economic and policy implications: The project can lead to economic growth as it has the potential for job creation, and investment opportunities and can lead to positioning India as a digital hub globally. The creation of regulatory frameworks that can support and secure a large-scale infrastructure project such as this is necessary.
- India- US Relations: This project will align with the commitments that were made in the US-India joint statement on undersea technology collaboration and strengthen them. It will further serve as a model for future collaborations between the nations’ tech entities.
- Concerns for Data Privacy and Security: A robust cybersecurity mechanism which can combat the potential risks associated with the increased data flows is required. The concerned authorities need to be vigilant in monitoring and ensuring compliance with the applicable data protection standards set such as the IT Act of 2000, the DPDP Act of 2023 and its rules(once finalised).
Conclusion
India has been provided with a transformative opportunity to bolster its digital landscape by the advent of Project Waterworth. The enhancement of internet speed, stability, and capacity, will strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and support economic growth. This project is also projected to accelerate AI-driven advancements in India. Moreover, this technological collaboration between India-US will strengthen their relations and set the stage for India to negotiate future global partnerships. A well-defined regulatory framework and strong cybersecurity measures will be crucial to proactively address data privacy, security, and governance challenges to ensure safe and equitable digital progress. As India continues its rapid digital expansion, engaging in informed discussions, policy planning, and strategic investments will be key to maximise Project Waterworth’s impact and propel India toward a more connected, innovative, and resilient digital future.
