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

Introduction

India's broadcasting sector has undergone significant changes in recent years with technological advancements such as the introduction of new platforms like Direct-to-Home (DTH), Internet Protocol television (IPTV), Over-The-Top (OTT), and integrated models. Platform changes, emerging technologies and advancements in the advertising space have all necessitated the need for new governing laws that take these developments into account. 

The Union Government and concerned ministry have realised there is a pressing need to develop a robust regulatory framework for the Indian broadcasting sector in the country and consequently, a draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, was released in November 2023 and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had invited feedback and comments from different stakeholders. The draft Bill aims to establish a unified framework for regulating broadcasting services in the country, replacing the current Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and other policy guidelines governing broadcasting.

Recently a new draft of an updated ‘Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024,’ was shared with selected broadcasters, associations, streaming services, and tech firms, each marked with their identifier to prevent leaks. 

Key Highlights of the Updated Broadcasting Bill 

As per the recent draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, social media accounts could be identified as ‘Digital News Broadcasters’ and can be classified within the ambit of the regulation. Some of the major aspects of the new bill were first reported by Hindustan Times. 

The new draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, proposes that individuals who regularly upload videos to social media, make podcasts, or write about current affairs online could be classified as Digital News Broadcasters. This entails that YouTubers and Instagrammers who receive a share of advertising revenue or monetize their social media presence through affiliate activities will be regulated as Digital News Broadcasters. This includes channels, podcasts, and blogs that cover news and utilise Google AdSense. They must comply with a Programme Code and Advertising Code.

Online content creators who do not provide news or current affairs but provide programming and curated programs beyond a certain threshold will be treated as OTT broadcasters in case they provide content licensed or live through a website or social media platform.

The new version also introduces new obligations for intermediaries and social media intermediaries related to streaming services and digital news broadcasters, and, in contrast to the last version circulated in 2023, the latest also carries provisions targeting online advertising. In the context of streaming services, OTT broadcasting services are no longer a part of the definition of "internet broadcasting services." The definition of OTT broadcasting service has also been revised, allowing content creators who regularly upload their content to social media to be considered as OTT broadcasting services.

The new definition of an 'intermediary' includes social media intermediaries, advertisement intermediaries, internet service providers, online search engines, and online marketplaces. 

The new Bill allows the government to prescribe different due diligence guidelines for social media platforms and online advertisement intermediaries and requires all intermediaries to provide appropriate information, including information pertaining to the OTT broadcasters and Digital News Broadcasters on their platform, to the central government to ensure compliance with the act. This entails the liability provisions for social media intermediaries which do not provide information “pertaining to OTT Broadcasters and Digital News Broadcasters” on its platforms for compliance. This suggests that when information is sought about a YouTube, Instagram or X/Twitter user, the platform will need to provide this information to the Indian government.

A new draft bill contains specific provisions governing ‘Online Advertising’ and to do so it creates the category of 'advertising intermediaries'. These intermediaries enable the buying or selling of advertisement space on the internet or placing advertisements on online platforms without endorsing the advertisement. 

Final Words

The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) is making efforts to propose robust regulatory changes to the country's new-age broadcast sector, which would cover the specific provisions for Digital News Broadcasters, OTT Broadcasters and Intermediaries. The proposed bill defining the scope and obligation of each. 

However, these changes will have significant implications for press and creative freedom. The changes in the new version of the updated bill from its previous draft expanded the applicability of the bill to a larger number of key actors, this move brought ‘content creators’ under the definition of OTT or digital news broadcasters, which raises concerns about overly rigid provisions and might face criticism from media representative perspectives. 

According to recent media reports, the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024 version has been withdrawn by the I&B ministry facing criticism from relevant stakeholders.

The ministry must take due consideration and feedback from concerned stakeholders and place reliance on balancing individual rights while promoting a healthy regulated landscape considering the needs of the new-age broadcasting sector.

References:

1. https://www.medianama.com/2024/07/223-india-broadcast-bill-online-creators/#:~:text=Online%20content%20creators%20that%20do,or%20a%20social%20media%20platform.
2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-draft-of-broadcasting-bill-news-influencers-may-be-classified-as-broadcasters-101721961764666.html
3. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/broadcasting-bill-still-in-drafting-stage-mib-tells-rs-101722058753083.html
4. https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/07/29/indias-new-broadcast-bill-now-has-compliance-requirements-for-youtubers-and-instagrammers
5. https://m.thewire.in/article/media/social-media-videos-text-digital-news-broadcasting-bill
6. https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Public%20Notice_07.12.2023.pdf
7. https://news.abplive.com/news/india/centre-withdraws-draft-of-broadcasting-services-regulation-bill-1709770

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Introduction

As the 2024 Diwali festive season approaches, netizens eagerly embrace the spirit of celebration with online shopping, gifting, and searching for the best festive deals on online platforms. Historical web data from India shows that netizens' online activity spikes at this time as people shop online to upgrade their homes, buy unique presents for loved ones and look for services and products to make their celebrations more joyful.

However, with the increase in online transactions and digital interactions, cybercriminals take advantage of the festive rush by enticing users with fake schemes, fake coupons offering freebies, fake offers of discounted jewellery, counterfeit product sales, festival lotteries, fake lucky draws and charity appeals, malicious websites and more. Cybercrimes, especially phishing attempts, also spike in proportion to user activity and shopping trends at this time.

Hence, it becomes important for all netizens to stay alert, making sure their personal information and financial data is protected and ensure that they exercise due care and caution before clicking on any suspicious links or offers. Additionally, brands and platforms also must make strong cybersecurity a top priority to safeguard their customers and build trust.

Diwali Season and Phishing Attempts 

Last year's report from CloudSEK's research team noted an uptick in cyber threats during the Diwali period, where cybercriminals leveraged the festive mood to launch phishing, betting and crypto scams. The report revealed that phishing attempts target the e-commerce industries and seek to damage the image of reputable brands. An astounding 828 distinct domains devoted to phishing activities were found in the Facebook Ads Library by CloudSEK's investigators. The report also highlighted the use of typosquatting techniques to create phony-but-plausible domains that trick users into believing they are legitimate websites, by exploiting common typing errors or misspellings of popular domain names. As fraudsters are increasingly misusing AI and deepfake technologies to their advantage, we expect even more of these dangers to surface this year over the festive season.

CyberPeace Advisory

It is important that netizens exercise caution, especially during the festive period and follow cyber safety practices to avoid cybercrimes and phishing attempts. Some of the cyber hygiene best practices suggested by CyberPeace are as follows:

• Netizens must verify the sender’s email, address, and domain with the official site for the brand/ entity the sender claims to be affiliated with. 
• Netizens must avoid clicking links received through email, messages or shared on social media and consider visiting the official website directly. 
• Beware of urgent, time-sensitive offers pressuring immediate action. 
• Spot phishing signs like spelling errors and suspicious URLs to avoid typosquatting tactics used by cybercriminals.
• Netizens must enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of security.
• Have authenticated antivirus software and malware detection software installed on your devices. 
• Be wary of unsolicited festive deals, gifts and offers. 
• Stay informed on common tactics used by cybercriminals to launch phishing attacks and recognise the red flags of any phishing attempts.
• To report cybercrimes, file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or helpline number 1930. You can also seek assistance from the CyberPeace helpline at +91 9570000066.

References

1. https://www.outlookmoney.com/plan/financial-plan/this-diwali-beware-of-these-financial-scams
2. https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/diwali-and-pooja-domains-being-exploited-by-online-scams-see-tips-to-help-you-stay-safe-405323-2023-11-10
3. https://www.abplive.com/states/bihar/bihar-crime-news-15-cyber-fraud-arrested-in-nawada-before-diwali-2024-ann-2805088
4. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/phishing-you-a-happy-diwali-ai-advancements-pave-way-for-cybercriminals/articleshow/113966675.cms?from=mdr

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Executive Summary:

Internship scams have infiltrated the academic landscape, scamming students of many prestigious colleges. The students often prefer to carry out internships to gain knowledge and work experience. These scams use the name of popular multinational companies to exploit the students. This report studies the various case studies, their modus operandi, impact on the students and preventive strategies. This report emphasises the importance of awareness and proactive measures to protect students from falling victim to such frauds.

1. Introduction

Internships are the opportunity to overcome the gap between the practical knowledge acquired at the university and practical experience, to get practical skills and contacts in the field of activity, as well as improve employment prospects. Instead, because of high paying internships and interesting positions students have become targets of work scams. As we have seen with the advancement in digital technology, scammers take advantage of the disguise of the internet, making very neat, smart, and convincing scams. 

 Internship scams are very prevalent and they include fake job listings and phishing schemes as well as payment frauds which make students lose lots of money and also emotionally expose them. In this specific case, this paper examines how these scams work, the warning signs, and ways of protecting students from falling victim to them.

2. Detailed Modus Operandi of Internship Scams

Internship scams often employ  a variety of tactics to attract and deceive unsuspecting students. Below is a detailed breakdown of the common methods used by scammers:

1. Fake Job Listings and Offers:some text
   • Scammers post attractive internship offers on popular job portals, social media platforms, and even send personalised messages via LinkedIn. These listings often mimic the branding and style of reputable companies, including well-designed logos, professional email addresses, and official-looking websites.
   • Example: A fake internship offer from a reputed software firm circulates on a job portal, with a professional landing page. Students who apply are quickly “hired” without any interviews, and are asked to pay a security deposit to confirm their acceptance.
2. Upfront Payment Requests:some text
   • Scammers ask for payment such as registration fees, training materials, background checks, or security deposits. These payments comes under non-refundable payment  and it act as the primary revenue stream for the fraudsters.
   • Example: A group of students receive internship offers requiring a payment of INR 10,000 for "training materials" and "online assessments." After making the payment, the students never hear back from the company, and all attempts to contact them were futile.
3. Phishing and Identity Theft:some text
   • Beyond financial fraud, some scams aim to steal personal information. Fake internship applications often require detailed personal data, including identity proofs, bank account details. This data will be used as identity theft or sold on the dark web.
   • Example: A student applies for an internship that asks for copies of identification documents and bank details. This information sharing led to unauthorised transactions in their bank account. 
4. Work-from-Home Frauds:some text
   • With the rise of remote work, scammers also offer work-from-home internships that require students to purchase software or pay for specialised training. After payment, students are often given irrelevant tasks or no tasks at all, leaving them with no real work experience.
   • Example: An internship advertised as a "remote data analysis role" required students to buy a proprietary software licence. After paying, students realised the software was freely available online, and the internship tasks were non-existent.
5. Impersonation of Reputed Companies:some text
   • Scammers use the name of well-known companies, they modify the email addresses or create fake websites that look original. They use these platforms to send offer letters, making it difficult for students to identify the scam.
   • Example: A scammer creates a fake website mirroring a major consulting firm's internship page. The only difference is a minor change in the URL. Dozens of students are duped into paying registration fees.

3. Case Studies of Real-Life Incidents

1. Case Study 1: The Certification Course and Internshipsome text
   • A group of students received personalised emails from an official domain of a reputed tech industry providing an internship offer. Students were asked to pay Rs 10,000 to undergo a certification course to carry the internship. After paying the amount, the students did not receive any instructions, and the company was found to be nonexistent. The scammer had spoofed the company’s email domain, making it difficult to trace the source.
2. Case Study 2: The Social Media Trapsome text
   • A student from a university encountered an internship post on Instagram, advertising roles at a popular fashion brand. The application process involved a "screening fee" of INR 5,000. Despite appearing legitimate, the internship was fake, and the brand had no knowledge of the post. The student's personal data was also compromised, leading to unauthorised social media activity.
3. Case Study 3: Internship Providing Social Platformssome text
   • A popular internship providing platform, faced an incident where a scammer posted fraudulent internship offers under the guise of a major multinational. The scam involved asking students to purchase expensive software to start their work. The platform had to issue warnings and remove the listings after several complaints.

4. The Impact on Students

The consequences of internship scams extend beyond immediate financial loss, affecting students on multiple levels:

1. Financial Impact:some text
   • Students lose their money, ranging from minor fees to significant payments.
2. Emotional and Psychological Distress:some text
   • These kinds of scams can lead to anxiety, depression and loss of confidence in availing the opportunities in future. 
3. Exposure to Further Scams:some text
   • Scammers often share details of their victims with other fraudsters, making students susceptible to repeated scams, including phishing attacks, financial frauds, and unsolicited offers.

5. Preventive Measures

1. Verification of Internships:some text
   • Always verify the authenticity of the internship by researching the company on official platforms such as LinkedIn, the company’s official website, and through trusted contacts or college placement cells.
2. Avoid Upfront Payments:some text
   • Employers do not ask for money in exchange for job or internship offers. If they demand for any kind of payment, then the employer is not original. Always question the necessity of such payments and consult trusted advisors before proceeding.
3. Use Trusted Job Portals:some text
   • Apply for internships through recognized platforms like LinkedIn, Internshala, or your college’s placement cell, which have verification processes to filter out fraudulent postings.
4. Reporting Scams:some text
   • Report suspicious offers to your college authorities, placement cells, and local cybercrime departments. Additionally, use platforms like Internshala’s “Report This Job” feature to flag fraudulent listings.
5. Stay Educated and Updated:some text
   • It is important to educate students by providing workshops, webinars, and awareness sessions on cybersecurity to stay informed and report about the latest scams. 

6. Conclusion

Internship scams are a severe threat to the student society since they manipulate the student’s desire for an internship. The best ways to prevent such cons are by being cautious and receptive to whatever is being offered. Internship seekers, colleges and the placement cells have to work hand in hand to ensure that there is no fear among  people seeking internships.

References

1. Smith, J. (2024). Internship Scams on the Rise: How to Spot and Avoid Them. Retrieved from example1.com.
2. Brown, A. (2023). Student Internship Scams in India: A Growing Concern. Retrieved from example2.com.
3. Johnson, L. (2024). How to Protect Yourself from Fake Internship Offers. Retrieved from example3.com.
4. Gupta, R. (2024). Social Media and the Rise of Job Scams. Retrieved from example4.com.

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