#FactCheck - Deepfake Video Falsely Claims visuals of a massive rally held in Manipur

Executive Summary:

‍The internet has become a hub for fraudsters, and a new fraudulent scheme has been circulating, stating a free 84-day recharge of ₹719 given by the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi  in celebration of the BJP Government formation in 2024. This is yet another scam that uses tricks to lure the users, for instance by fake questionnaires, fake promises and the use of the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image to give a fake impression of legitimacy. The following blog post analyzes the scam and offers recommendations on how to recognize similar frauds and avoid them.

False Claim:

A viral link trending on various social media platforms states that Narendra Modi, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, is giving a free 84-day free recharge worth ₹719 to all users in India and this is an Election Bonus  in celebration of the BJP government formation in 2024.  The claim insists the users are required to click on the link (https://offerraj.in/Congress2024-Recharge/id=9jMiaeN1) and complete a questionnaire to get the offer.

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The Deceptive Scheme:

1. Mobile-Only Access:  The malicious link (https://offerraj.in/Congress2024-Recharge/id=9jMiaeN1) is designed to open only on mobile devices; this makes it easier for more people to be affected. 
2. Multiple Redirects: After clicking the link, the users are led through a sequence of other links in order to conceal the actual source of the deception, and probably a try of making it difficult to track the notorious activity.
3. Fake Comments & Images: First, the landing page contains a banner with the photo of India’s Honourable Prime-Minister Narendra Modi which gives the site’s visitors the impression of the official source. Also, fake comments can be made for the same reason, stating that the author has received a free recharge and supporting the so-called initiative.
4. Fake Prize Notifications: For instance, after responding to the questions in the questionnaire, users may be presented with messages such as ‘Congratulations, you have won a free recharge’; this further creates an impression of a genuine offer.
5. Social Sharing Requirement: To collect the so-called ‘prize’, the users are requested to share the link in the WhatsApp or other social networks, thus contributing to the spread of the scam.

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Analyzing the Fraudulent Campaign:

1. No Official Announcement: The internet and other social platforms are the only places where such an offer has been mentioned, and there is no official announcement from the Government or any other authorized body.
2. Multiple Redirects: After clicking the link, users are taken through multiple redirects to obfuscating the source of the deception and to trace the malicious activity. 
3. Suspicious Domain and Hosting: The campaign is hosted on a third-party domain (offerraj.in) instead of any official government website, raising suspicion about its authenticity.
4. Personal Data Collection: The questionnaire prompts users to provide personal information, which legitimate Government initiatives would not typically request through unofficial channels.
5. Insecure HTTP Link: The link provided is an insecure HTTP link, whereas legitimate government websites employ secure HTTPS encryption.

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Domain Analysis:

The actual url is hosted on a third party domain instead of the official website of the BJP or any Government website. This is the common way to deceive users into falling for a Phishing scam. Whois information reveals that the domain has been registered recently i.e on 28-03-2023 and the domain is registered with godaddy.com and state is from Rajasthan, India. Cybercriminals used Cloudflare technology to mask the actual IP address of the fraudulent website.

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• Domain Name: offerraj.in
• Registry Domain ID: D9483D0EB38264263958C9609D2DCEA70-IN
• Registrar WHOIS Server:
• Registrar URL: www.godaddy.com
• Updated Date: 2024-05-03T07:30:03Z
• Creation Date: 2023-03-28T04:33:12Z
• Registry Expiry Date: 2026-03-28T04:33:12Z
• Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC
• Registrar IANA ID: 146
• Registrant State/Province: Rajasthan
• Registrant Country: IN
• Name Server: johnathan.ns.cloudflare.com
• Name Server: braelyn.ns.cloudflare.com

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Similar offer surfing with different links: Several similar kind of offers through various links such as https://offerintro.com/BJP2024-Recharge/id=QYntPBDU,  https://mahaloot2.xyz, https://mahaloot3.xyz, https://pmoffer4.online,  are available in the social media. All these links are analysed and validated to be malicious or phishing links. 

CyberPeace Advisory and Best Practices:

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1. Stay Informed: Be aware of potential scams and rely on official government channels for verified information.
2. Verify Website Security: Do not click on links that have the ‘http’ at the beginning and focus on sites that have encryption (‘https’).
3. Protect Personal Information: Be careful when there is any request to send some type of personal information, especially if it is done through informal companies.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: When you notice that you have been scammed or a certain activity is fraudulent, ensure to report the incidents to the necessary authorities and the platforms to prevent others from being scammed.

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Conclusion: 

The claim of 84 day free recharge worth ₹719 to all users in India as an “Election Bonus”  is false and similar kinds of various links are consistently surfing through the internet. The deceptive practices employed in these kinds of links are insecure and it has multiple redirects to false promises which highlights the need for heightened awareness and caution among internet users.  In this digital world, it is important to stay informed, verify the authenticity of resources to protect personal information. Individuals can safeguard themselves against such fraudulent schemes and contribute to a safer online environment.

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Introduction

Language is an important part of human communication and a basic aspect of human understanding. The world is a global market and this diversity of languages has led to difficulties in engaging for effective communication and collaboration.  India alone has 22 official languages and countless regional languages and dialects which change every few hundred kilometres. 

AI has emerged to overcome this challenge of language barriers and has stepped into bringing about a transformative shift. It is leading the charge in breaking down traditional barriers and paving the way for more inclusive and seamless global interactions. AI’s integration into language translation has revolutionised the field, addressing longstanding challenges associated with traditional human-centric approaches. The limitations posed by reliance on human translators, such as time constraints, resource limitations, and the inability to handle the data efficiently, paved the way for the furtherance of the transformative impact of AI. However, challenges such as maintaining translation accuracy, addressing cultural nuances, and ensuring data privacy require careful attention to realize AI's full potential.

AI Technologies Bridging Language Gaps

AI tools have transformed translation, transcription, and natural language processing, providing language solutions. They can instantly translate text, transcribe audio, and analyse linguistic nuances, enabling effective cross-cultural communication. Moreover, AI's adaptive capabilities have facilitated language learning, allowing individuals to grasp new languages and adapt their communication styles to diverse cultural contexts.  

AI technologies are making information and services more accessible to non-native speakers and are impacting global business, allowing effective engagement. Building on this transformative potential, various AI tools are now used to bridge language gaps in real-world applications. Some examples of AI’s role in bridging the language gap are:

• Real-time translation tools that enable instant communication by providing translations between languages on the fly. This would help in effortless conversations with clients and partners worldwide. 
• Tools such as ‘speech-to-text’ and ‘text-to-speech’ like Murf AI, Lovo AI, and ElevenLabs work towards converting spoken language into written text and vice versa. These technologies have led to streamlined interactions, boosted productivity, and clarity in global business dealings. Businesses can extract important information, insights, and action points from meetings, interviews, and presentations. 
• AI chatbots like MyGov Corona Helpdesk, WhatsApp Chatbot by the Government of India, Railway Food Order & Delivery by Zoop India, and Gen AI-Powered 'Elena' by Indian School of Business (ISB) are some examples that act as intelligent virtual assistants that engage in real-time conversations, by answering queries, providing information, and facilitating transactions. They offer round-the-clock support, freeing human resources and enhancing customer experience across language barriers.

Challenges and Limitations of AI Translation

While AI’s integration in combatting language barriers is commendable, there are challenges and limitations in overcoming this endeavour. These challenges and limitations are:

• AI translation systems face several challenges in handling accuracy, context, nuance, and idiomatic expressions. 
• These systems may encounter struggles with complex or specialised language, along with those towards regional dialects, leading to potential misinterpretations. 
• Biases within the AI models can further affect the inclusivity of translations, often favouring dominant languages and cultural norms while marginalising others. 
• Ethical concerns, regarding privacy and data security, particularly when sensitive information is processed have also been arising. 
• Ensuring user consent and protecting data integrity are essential to addressing these concerns. As AI continues to evolve, ongoing efforts are needed to improve fairness, transparency, and the cultural sensitivity of translation systems.

AI’s Future  in Language Translation

AI technologies are moving towards improving translation accuracy and contextual understanding, allowing AI models to grasp cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions better. This can significantly enhance communication across diverse languages, fostering multilingual interactions and global collaboration in business, education, and diplomacy. Improvements in AI tech are taking place ubiquitous, and models like GPT and Google Translate are now better at capturing nuances, idioms, and cultural differences, reducing errors. AI tools like the Microsoft Translator help cross-continental teams work seamlessly by enhancing their productivity and inclusivity. 

AI is capable of offering real-time translation in healthcare, education, and public services. This would enable more inclusive environments and bridging communication gaps. For example in the healthcare system, AI-powered translation tools are helping the industry to provide better care by crossing linguistic barriers. Doctors can now communicate with patients who speak different languages, ensuring equitable care even with linguistic boundaries. 

Conclusion

We live in a world where diverse languages pose significant challenges to global communication, and AI has emerged as a powerful tool to bridge these gaps. AI is paving the way for more inclusive and seamless interactions by revolutionising language translation, transcription, and natural language processing. Its ability to break down barriers caused by linguistic diversity ensures effective communication in fields ranging from business to healthcare. Despite challenges like accuracy and cultural sensitivity, the potential for AI to continuously improve is undeniable. As AI technologies evolve, they stand as the key to overcoming language barriers and fostering a more connected and inclusive global community.

Notwithstanding AI's potential abilities to overcome language barriers through advances in natural language processing and translation, cybersecurity and data privacy must always come first. The same technologies that make it easier to communicate globally also put private information at risk. The likelihood of data breaches, personal information misuse, and compromised communication rises in the absence of strict cybersecurity safeguards. Thus, in order to guarantee safe and reliable international Interactions as AI develops, it is crucial to strike a balance between innovation and privacy protection.

References

• https://megasisnetwork.medium.com/ai-and-language-translation-breaking-down-language-barriers-47873cfdb13b
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38099504/ 
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/breaking-language-barriers-ai-era-leveraging-tools-business-a-rad
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373842132_Breaking_Down_Barriers_With_Artificial_Intelligence_AI_Cross-Cultural_Communication_in_Foreign_Language_Education

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Introduction

THE DIGITAL PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL, 2022 Released for Public Consultation on November 18, 2022THE DIGITAL PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL, 2023Tabled at LokSabha on August 03. 2023Personal data may be processed only for a lawful purpose for which an individual has given consent.  Consent may be deemed in certain cases.The 2023 bill imposes reasonable obligations on data fiduciaries and data processors to safeguard digital personal data.There is a Data Protection Board under the 2022 bill to deal with the non-compliance of the Act.Under the 2023 bill, there is the Establishment of a new Data Protection Board which will ensure compliance, remedies and penalties.

Under the new bill, the Board has been entrusted with the power of a civil court, such as the power to take cognisance in response to personal data breaches, investigate complaints,  imposing penalties. Additionally, the Board can issue directions to ensure compliance with the act.The 2022 Bill grants certain rights to individuals, such as the right to obtain information, seek correction and erasure, and grievance redressal.The 2023 bill also grants More Rights to Individuals and establishes a balance between user protection and growing innovations. The bill creates a transparent and accountable data governance framework by giving more rights to individuals. In the 2023 bill, there is an Incorporation of Business-friendly provisions by removing criminal penalties for non-compliance and facilitating international data transfers.  

‍The new 2023 bill balances out fundamental privacy rights and puts reasonable limitations on those rights.Under the 2022 bill, Personal data can be processed for a lawful purpose for which an individual has given his consent.  And there was a concept of deemed consent.The new data protection board will carefully examine the instance of non-compliance by imposing penalties on non-compiler.The bill does not provide any express clarity in regards to compensation to be granted to the Data Principal in case of a Data Breach.Under 2023 Deemed consent is there in its new form as ‘Legitimate Users’.The 2022 bill allowed the transfer of personal data to locations notified by the government.There is an introduction of the negative list, which restricts cross-data transfer.