#FactCheck - Viral Claim of Highway in J&K Proven Misleading

In 2023, PIB reported that up to 22% of young women in India are affected by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). However, access to reliable information regarding the condition and its treatment remains a challenge. A study by the PGIMER Chandigarh conducted in 2021 revealed that approximately 37% of affected women rely on the internet as their primary source of information for PCOS. However, it can be difficult to distinguish credible medical advice from misleading or inaccurate information online since the internet and social media are rife with misinformation. The uptake of misinformation can significantly delay the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, jeopardizing health outcomes for all.

The PCOS Misinformation Ecosystem Online

PCOS is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in the female endocrine system, characterized by the swelling of ovaries and the formation of small cysts on their outer edges. This may lead to irregular menstruation, weight gain, hirsutism, possible infertility, poor mental health, and other symptoms. However, there is limited research on its causes, leaving most medical practitioners in India ill-equipped to manage the issue effectively and pushing women to seek alternate remedies from various sources.

This creates space for the proliferation of rumours, unverified cures and superstitions,  on social media, For example, content on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram may promote “miracle cures” like detox teas or restrictive diets, or viral myths claiming PCOS can be “cured” through extreme weight loss or herbal remedies. Such misinformation not only creates false hope for women but also delays treatment, or may worsen symptoms.

 How Tech Platforms Amplify Misinformation 

1. Engagement vs. Accuracy: Social media algorithms are designed to reward viral content, even if it’s misleading or incendiary since it generates advertisement revenue. Further, non-medical health influencers often dominate health conversations online and offer advice with promises of curing the condition.
2. Lack of Verification: Although platforms like YouTube try to provide verified health-related videos through content shelves, and label unverified content, the sheer volume of content online means that a significant chunk of content escapes the net of content moderation. 
3. Cultural Context: In India, discussions around women’s health, especially reproductive health, are stigmatized, making social media the go-to source for private, albeit unreliable, information. 

Way Forward

a. Regulating Health Content on Tech Platforms: Social media is a significant source of health information to millions who may otherwise lack access to affordable healthcare. Rather than rolling back content moderation practices as seen recently, platforms must dedicate more resources to identify and debunk misinformation, particularly health misinformation. 

b. Public Awareness Campaigns: Governments and NGOs should run nationwide campaigns in digital literacy to educate on women’s health issues in vernacular languages and utilize online platforms for culturally sensitive messaging to reach rural and semi-urban populations. This is vital for countering the stigma and lack of awareness which enables misinformation to proliferate. 

c. Empowering Healthcare Communication: Several studies suggest a widespread dissatisfaction among women in many parts of the world regarding the information and care they receive for PCOS.  This is what drives them to social media for answers. Training PCOS specialists and healthcare workers to provide accurate details and counter misinformation during patient consultations can improve the communication gaps between healthcare professionals and patients. 

d. Strengthening the Research for PCOS: The allocation of funding for research in PCOS is vital, especially in the face of its growing prevalence amongst Indian women. Academic and healthcare institutions must collaborate to produce culturally relevant, evidence-based interventions for PCOS. Information regarding this must be made available online since the internet is most often a primary source of information. An improvement in the research will inform improved communication, which will help reduce the trust deficit between women and healthcare professionals when it comes to women’s health concerns.

Conclusion 

In India, the PCOS misinformation ecosystem is shaped by a mix of local and global factors such as health communication failures, cultural stigma, and tech platform design prioritizing engagement over accuracy. With millions of women turning to the internet for guidance regarding their conditions, they are increasingly vulnerable to unverified claims and pseudoscientific remedies which can lead to delayed diagnoses, ineffective treatments, and worsened health outcomes. The rising number of PCOS cases in the country warrants the bridging of health research and communications gaps so that women can be empowered with accurate, actionable information to make the best decisions regarding their health and well-being. 

Sources

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1893279#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20most%20prevailing%20female%20endocrine,neuroendocrine%20system%2C%20sedentary%20lifestyle%2C%20diet%2C%20and%20obesity. 
• https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/india-unprepared-pcos-crisis?utm_source=chatgpt.com 
• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgz2p0999yo ‍
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9092874/

Introduction

Mr Rajeev Chanderashekhar, MoS, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, on 09 March 2023, held a stakeholder consultation on the Digital India Bill. This bill will be the successor to the Information technology Act 2000 and provide a set of regulations and laws which will govern cyberspace in times to come. The consultation was held in Bangalore and was the first of many such consultations where the Digital India bill is to be discussed. These public stakeholder consultations will provide direct public feedback to the ministry, and this will help create a safe and secure ecosystem of Indian Cyber Laws.

What is the Digital India Act?

Cyberspace has evolved the fastest as compared to any other industry, and the evolution of the growth cannot be presumed to be stagnant or stuck as we see new technologies and gadgets being invented all across the globe. The ease created by using technology has changed how we live and function. However, bad actors often use these advantages or fruits of technology to wreak havoc upon the nation’s cyberspace. The use of technology is always governed by the application of usage and safeguard policies and laws. As technology is growing exponentially, it is pertinent that we have laws which are in congruence with today’s time and technology. This is keenly addressed by the Digital India Act, which will be the legislation governing Indian Cyberspace in times to come. This was the need of the hour in order to have the judiciary, legislature and law enforcement agencies ahead of the curve when it comes to cyber crimes and laws.

What is the Digital India Bill’s primary goal?

The Digital India Bill’s goal is to guarantee an institutional structure for accountability and that the internet in India is accessible, unhindered by user harm or criminal activity. The law will apply to new technologies, algorithmic social media platforms, artificial intelligence, user risks, the diversity of the internet, and the regulation of intermediaries. The diversity of the internet, user hazards, artificial intelligence, social media platforms, and intermediary regulation are all discussed.

Why is the Digital India Bill necessary?

The number of internet users in the country currently exceeds 760 million; in the upcoming years, this number will reach 1.2 billion. Despite the fact that the internet is useful and promotes connectivity, there are a number of user damages nearby. Thus, it is crucial to enact legislation to set forth new guidelines for individuals’ rights and responsibilities and mention the requirement to gather data.

Major Elements of the Digital India Act

Major Elements of the Digital India Bill, which will eventually become an Act, which will contribute massively towards a safe cyber-ecosystem, some of these elements aim towards the following-

• The legislation attempts to establish an internet regulator.
• Women and Child safety.
• Safe harbour for intermediaries.
• The right of the individual to secure his information and the requirement to utilise personal data for legal purposes provide the main obstacles to data protection or regulation. The law tries to deal with this difficulty.
• A limit will be placed on how far a person’s personal information can be accessed for legal reasons.
• The majority of the bill’s characteristics are contrasted with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation.

The Way Ahead

As we ride the wave of developments in cyberspace regarding emerging technologies and automated gadgets, it becomes pertinent that the state takes due note of such technologies and the courts take cognisance of offences committed by using technology. Law enforcement agencies must also train police personnel who can effectively and efficiently investigate cybercrime cases. The ministry also released a few bills last year, such as – the Telecommunication Bill, 2022, Intermediary Rules and the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, to better address the shortcomings and the issues in cyberspace and how to safeguard the netizens. The Digital India Act will essentially create a synergy between the current bills and the new ones to come in order to create a wholesome, safe and secure Indian cyber ecosystem.

Conclusion

Digital India Bill is necessary to address the challenges of cyberspace, like personal data and privacy, and policies related to online child and women safety to create a and create a modern and comprehensive legal framework that aligns with global standards of cyber laws. The draft of the bill is expected to come out by July. The ministry looks forward to maximising the impact of the bill through such continuous and effective public consultation to understand and fulfil the expectations and requirements of the Indian netizen, thus empowering him/her equivalent to the netizen of a developed country.

Executive Summary

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Recent claims circulating on social media allege that an Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet was shot down by Pakistani forces during "Operation Sindoor." These reports suggest the incident involved a jet crash attributed to hostile action. However, these assertions have been officially refuted. No credible evidence supports the existence of such an operation or the downing of an Indian aircraft as described. The Indian Air Force has not confirmed any such event, and the claim appears to be misinformation.

Claim

A social media rumor has been circulating, suggesting that an Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet was shot down by Pakistani Air forces during "Operation Sindoor." The claim is accompanied by images purported to show the wreckage of the aircraft.

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Fact Check

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The social media posts have falsely claimed that a Pakistani Air Force shot down an Indian Air Force MiG-29 during "Operation Sindoor." This claim has been confirmed to be untrue. The image being circulated is not related to any recent IAF operations and has been previously used in unrelated contexts. The content being shared is misleading and does not reflect any verified incident involving the Indian Air Force.

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After conducting research by extracting key frames from the video and performing reverse image searches, we successfully traced the original post, which was first published in 2024, and can be seen in a news article from The Hindu and Times of India. 

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A MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), engaged in a routine training mission, crashed near Barmer, Rajasthan, on Monday evening (September 2, 2024). Fortunately, the pilot safely ejected and escaped unscathed, hence the claim is false and an act to spread misinformation.

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Conclusion

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The claims regarding the downing of an Indian Air Force MiG-29 during "Operation Sindoor" are unfounded and lack any credible verification. The image being circulated is outdated and unrelated to current IAF operations. There has been no official confirmation of such an incident, and the narrative appears to be misleading. Peoples are advised to rely on verified sources for accurate information regarding defence matters.

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• Claim: Pakistan Shot down an Indian Fighter Jet, MIG-29
• Claimed On:  Social Media
• Fact Check: False and Misleading