#FactCheck - AI Generated Photo Circulating Online Misleads About BARC Building Redesign
Executive Summary:
A photo circulating on the web that claims to show the future design of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, BARC building, has been found to be fake after fact checking has been done. Nevertheless, there is no official notice or confirmation from BARC on its website or social media handles. Through the AI Content Detection tool, we have discovered that the image is a fake as it was generated by an AI. In short, the viral picture is not the authentic architectural plans drawn up for the BARC building.

Claims:
A photo allegedly representing the new outlook of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) building is reigning over social media platforms.


Fact Check:
To begin our investigation, we surfed the BARC's official website to check out their tender and NITs notifications to inquire for new constructions or renovations.
It was a pity that there was no corresponding information on what was being claimed.

Then, we hopped on their official social media pages and searched for any latest updates on an innovative building construction, if any. We looked on Facebook, Instagram and X . Again, there was no information about the supposed blueprint. To validate the fact that the viral image could be generated by AI, we gave a search on an AI Content Detection tool by Hive that is called ‘AI Classifier’. The tool's analysis was in congruence with the image being an AI-generated computer-made one with 100% accuracy.

To be sure, we also used another AI-image detection tool called, “isitai?” and it turned out to be 98.74% AI generated.

Conclusion:
To conclude, the statement about the image being the new BARC building is fake and misleading. A detailed investigation, examining BARC's authorities and utilizing AI detection tools, proved that the picture is more probable an AI-generated one than an original architectural design. BARC has not given any information nor announced anything for such a plan. This makes the statement untrustworthy since there is no credible source to support it.
Claim: Many social media users claim to show the new design of the BARC building.
Claimed on: X, Facebook
Fact Check: Misleading
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Executive Summary:
In the age of virtuality, misinformation and misleading techniques shape the macula of the internet, and these threaten human safety and well-being. Recently, an alarming fake information has surfaced, intended to provide a fake Government subsidy scheme with the name of Indian Post. This serves criminals, who attack people's weaknesses, laying them off with proposals of receiving help in exchange for info. In this informative blog, we take a deep dive into one of the common schemes of fraud during this time. We will go through the stages involved which illustrates how one is deceived and offer practical tips to avoid the fall.
Introduction:
Digital communication reaches individuals faster, and as a result, misinformation and mails have accelerated their spread globally. People, therefore, are susceptible to online scams as they add credibility to phenomena. In India, the recently increased fake news draws its target with the deceptive claims of being a subsidy from the Government mainly through the Indian post. These fraudulent schemes frequently are spread via social networks and messaging platforms, influence trust of the individual’s in respectable establishments to establish fraud and collect private data.
Understanding the Claim:
There is a claim circulating on the behalf of the Government at the national level of a great subsidy of $1066 for deserving residents. The individual will be benefited with the subsidy when they complete the questionnaire they have received through social media. The questionnaire may have been designed to steal the individual’s confidential information by way of taking advantage of naivety and carelessness.
The Deceptive Journey Unveiled:
Bogus Offer Presentation: The scheme often appeals to people, by providing a misleading message or a commercial purposely targeted at convincing them to act immediately by instilling the sense of an urgent need. Such messages usually combine the mood of persuasion and highly evaluative material to create an illusion of being authentic.
Questionnaire Requirement: After the visitors land on attractive content material they are directed to fill in the questionnaire which is supposedly required for processing the economic assistance. This questionnaire requests for non private information in their nature.
False Sense of Urgency: Simultaneously, in addition to the stress-causing factor of it being a fake news, even the false deadline may be brought out to push in the technique of compliance. This data collection is intended to put people under pressure and influence them to make the information transfer that immediate without thorough examination.
Data Harvesting Tactics: Despite the financial help actually serving, you might be unaware but lies beneath it is a vile motive, data harvesting. The collection of facts through questionnaires may become something priceless for scammers that they can use for a good while to profit from identity theft, financial crimes and other malicious means.
Analysis Highlights:
- It is important to note that at this particular point, there has not been any official declaration or a proper confirmation of an offer made by the India Post or from the Government. So, people must be very careful when encountering such messages because they are often employed as lures in phishing attacks or misinformation campaigns. Before engaging or transmitting such claims, it is always advisable to authenticate the information from trustworthy sources in order to protect oneself online and prevent the spread of wrongful information
- The campaign is hosted on a third party domain instead of any official Government Website, this raised suspicion. Also the domain has been registered in very recent times.

- Domain Name: ccn-web[.]buzz
- Registry Domain ID: D6073D14AF8D9418BBB6ADE18009D6866-GDREG
- Registrar WHOIS Server: whois[.]namesilo[.]com
- Registrar URL: www[.]namesilo[.]com
- Updated Date: 2024-02-27T06:17:21Z
- Creation Date: 2024-02-11T03:23:08Z
- Registry Expiry Date: 2025-02-11T03:23:08Z
- Registrar: NameSilo, LLC
- Name Server: tegan[.]ns[.]cloudflare[.]com
- Name Server: nikon[.]ns[.]cloudflare[.]com
Note: Cybercriminal used Cloudflare technology to mask the actual IP address of the fraudulent website.
CyberPeace Advisory:
Verification and Vigilance: It makes complete sense in this case that you should be cautious and skeptical. Do not fall prey to this criminal act. Examine the arguments made and the facts provided by either party and consult credible sources before disclosures are made.
Official Channels: Governments usually invoke the use of reliable channels which can as well be by disseminating subsidies and assistance programs through official websites and the legal channels. Take caution for schemes that are not following the protocols previously established.
Educational Awareness: Providing awareness through education and consciousness about on-line scams and the approaches which are fraudulent has to be considered a primary requirement. Through empowering individuals with capabilities and targets we, as a collective, can be armed with information that will prevent erroneous scheme spreading.
Reporting and Action: In a case of mission suspicious and fraudulent images, let them understand immediately by making the authorities and necessary organizations alert. Your swift actions do not only protect yourself but also help others avoid the costs of related security compromises.
Conclusion:
The rise of the ‘Indian Post Countrywide - government subsidy fake news’ poses a stern warning of the present time that the dangers within the virtual ecosystem are. The art of being wise and sharp in terms of scams always reminds us to show a quick reaction to the hacks and try to do the things that we should identify as per the CyberPeace advisories; thereby, we will contribute to a safer Cyberspace for everyone. Likewise, the ability to critically judge, and remain alert, is important to help defeat the variety of tricks offenders use to mislead you online.
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Introduction
Deepfake have become a source of worry in an age of advanced technology, particularly when they include the manipulation of public personalities for deceitful reasons. A deepfake video of cricket star Sachin Tendulkar advertising a gaming app recently went popular on social media, causing the sports figure to deliver a warning against the widespread misuse of technology.
Scenario of Deepfake
Sachin Tendulkar appeared in the deepfake video supporting a game app called Skyward Aviator Quest. The app's startling quality has caused some viewers to assume that the cricket legend is truly supporting it. Tendulkar, on the other hand, has resorted to social media to emphasise that these videos are phony, highlighting the troubling trend of technology being abused for deceitful ends.
Tendulkar's Reaction
Sachin Tendulkar expressed his worry about the exploitation of technology and advised people to report such videos, advertising, and applications that spread disinformation. This event emphasises the importance of raising knowledge and vigilance about the legitimacy of material circulated on social media platforms.
The Warning Signs
The deepfake video raises questions not just for its lifelike representation of Tendulkar, but also for the material it advocates. Endorsing gaming software that purports to help individuals make money is a significant red flag, especially when such endorsements come from well-known figures. This underscores the possibility of deepfakes being utilised for financial benefit, as well as the significance of examining information that appears to be too good to be true.
How to Protect Yourself Against Deepfakes
As deepfake technology advances, it is critical to be aware of potential signals of manipulation. Here are some pointers to help you spot deepfake videos:
- Look for artificial facial movements and expressions, as well as lip sync difficulties.
- Body motions and Posture: Take note of any uncomfortable body motions or discrepancies in the individual's posture.
- Lip Sync and Audio Quality: Look for mismatches between the audio and lip motions.
- background and Content: Consider the video's background, especially if it has a popular figure supporting something in an unexpected way.
- Verify the legitimacy of the video by verifying the official channels or accounts of the prominent person.
Conclusion
The popularity of deepfake videos endangers the legitimacy of social media material. Sachin Tendulkar's response to the deepfake in which he appears serves as a warning to consumers to remain careful and report questionable material. As technology advances, it is critical that individuals and authorities collaborate to counteract the exploitation of AI-generated material and safeguard the integrity of online information.
Reference
- https://www.news18.com/tech/sachin-tendulkar-disturbed-by-his-new-deepfake-video-wants-swift-action-8740846.html
- https://www.livemint.com/news/india/sachin-tendulkar-becomes-latest-victim-of-deepfake-video-disturbing-to-see-11705308366864.html

Introduction
The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the Press Council of India on the occasion of National Press Day regarding emergent concerns in the digital media and technology landscape. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw has identified four major challenges facing news media in India, including fake news, algorithmic bias, artificial intelligence, and fair compensation. He emphasized the need for greater accountability and fairness from Big Tech to combat misinformation and protect democracy. Vaishnaw argued that platforms do not verify information posted online, leading to the spread of false and misleading information. He called on online platforms and Big Tech to combat misinformation and protect democracy.
Key Concerns Highlighted by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
- Misinformation: Due to India's unique sensitivities, digital platforms should adopt country-specific responsibilities and metrics. The Minister also questioned the safe harbour principle, which shields platforms from liability for user-generated content.
- Algorithmic Biases: The prioritisation of viral content, which is often divisive, by social media algorithms can have serious implications on societal peace.
- Impact of AI on intellectual Property: The training of AI on pre-existing datasets presents the ethical challenge of robbing original creators of their rights to their intellectual property
- Fair compensation: Traditional news media is increasingly facing financial strain since news consumption is shifting rapidly to social media platforms, creating uneven compensation dynamics.
Cyberpeace Insights
- Misinformation: Marked by routine upheavals and moral panics, Indian society is vulnerable to the severe impacts of fake news, including mob violence, political propaganda, health misinformation and more. Inspired by the EU's Digital Services Act, 2022, and other related legislation that addresses hate speech and misinformation, the Indian Minister has called for revisiting the safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000. However, any legislation on misinformation must strike a balance between protecting the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, and privacy while safeguarding citizens from its harmful effects.
- Algorithmic Biases: Social media algorithms are designed to boost user engagement since this increases advertisement revenue. This leads to the creation of filter bubbles- exposure to personalized information online and echo chambers interaction with other users with the same opinions that align with their worldview. These phenomena induce radicalization of views, increase intolerance fuel polarization in public discourse, and trigger the spread of more misinformation. Tackling this requires algorithmic design changes such as disincentivizing sensationalism, content labelling, funding fact-checking networks, etc. to improve transparency.
- Impact of AI on Intellectual Property: AI models are trained on data that may contain copyrighted material. It can lead to a loss of revenue for primary content creators, while tech companies owning AI models may financially benefit disproportionately by re-rendering their original works. Large-scale uptake of AI models will significantly impact fields such as advertising, journalism, entertainment, etc by disrupting their market. Managing this requires a push for Ethical AI regulations and the protection of original content creators.
Conclusion: Charting a Balanced Path
The socio-cultural and economic fabric of the Indian subcontinent is not only distinct from the rest of the world but has cross-cutting internal diversities, too. Its digital landscape stands at a crossroads as rapid global technological advancements present increasing opportunities and challenges. In light of growing incidents of misinformation on social media platforms, it is also crucial that regulators consider framing rules that encourage and mandate content verification mechanisms for online platforms, incentivizing them to adopt advanced AI-driven fact-checking tools and other relevant measures. Additionally, establishing public-private partnerships to monitor misinformation trends is crucial to rapidly debunking viral falsehoods. However ethical concerns and user privacy should be taken into consideration while taking such steps. Addressing misinformation requires a collaborative approach that balances platform accountability, technological innovation, and the protection of democratic values.
Sources
- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/news-media-4-challenges-ashwini-vaishnaw-national-press-day-speech-big-tech-fake-news-algorithm-ai-2634737-2024-11-17
- https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_881
- https://www.legaldive.com/news/digital-services-act-dsa-eu-misinformation-law-propaganda-compliance-facebook-gdpr/691657/
- https://www.fondationdescartes.org/en/2020/07/filter-bubbles-and-echo-chambers/
- https://www.google.com/searchq=News+Media+Bargaining+Code&oq=News+Media+Bargaining+Code&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQcyMjVqMGo3qAIIsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8