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

Introduction

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology recently released the IT Intermediary Guidelines 2023 Amendment for social media and online gaming. The notification is crucial when the Digital India Bill’s drafting is underway. There is no denying that this bill, part of a series of bills focused on amendments and adding new provisions, will significantly improve the dynamics of Cyberspace in India in terms of reporting, grievance redressal, accountability and protection of digital rights and duties.

What is the Amendment?

The amendment comes as a key feature of cyberspace as the bill introduces fact-checking, a crucial aspect of relating information on various platforms prevailing in cyberspace. Misformation and disinformation were seen rising significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic, and fact-checking was more important than ever. This has been taken into consideration by the policymakers and hence has been incorporated as part of the Intermediary guidelines. The key features of the guidelines are as follows –

• The phrase “online game,” which is now defined as “a game that is offered on the Internet and is accessible by a user through a computer resource or an intermediary,” has been added.
• A clause has been added that emphasises that if an online game poses a risk of harm to the user, intermediaries and complaint-handling systems must advise the user not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update, or share any data related to that risky online game.
• A proviso to Rule 3(1)(f) has been added, which states that if an online gaming intermediary has provided users access to any legal online real money game, it must promptly notify its users of the change, within 24 hours.
• Sub-rules have been added to Rule 4 that focus on any legal online real money game and require large social media intermediaries to exercise further due diligence. In certain situations, online gaming intermediaries:

• Are required to display a demonstrable and obvious mark of verification of such online game by an online gaming self-regulatory organisation on such permitted online real money game
• Will not offer to finance themselves or allow financing to be provided by a third party.
• Verification of real money online gaming has been added to Rule 4-A.

• The Ministry may name as many self-regulatory organisations for online gaming as it deems necessary for confirming an online real-money game.
• Each online gaming self-regulatory body will prominently publish on its website/mobile application the procedure for filing complaints and the appropriate contact information.
• After reviewing an application, the self-regulatory authority may declare a real money online game to be a legal game if it is satisfied that:

• There is no wagering on the outcome of the game.
• Complies with the regulations governing the legal age at which a person can engage into a contract.
• The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 have a new rule 4-B (Applicability of certain obligations after an initial period) that states that the obligations of the rule under rules 3 and 4 will only apply to online games after a three-month period has passed.
• According to Rule 4-C (Obligations in Relation to Online Games Other Than Online Real Money Games), the Central Government may direct the intermediary to make necessary modifications without affecting the main idea if it deems it necessary in the interest of India’s sovereignty and integrity, the security of the State, or friendship with foreign States.
• Intermediaries, such as social media companies or internet service providers, will have to take action against such content identified by this unit or risk losing their “safe harbour” protections under Section 79 of the IT Act, which let intermediaries escape liability for what third parties post on their websites. This is problematic and unacceptable. Additionally, these notified revisions can circumvent the takedown order process described in Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000. They also violated the ruling in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015), which established precise rules for content banning.
• The government cannot decide if any material is “fake” or “false” without a right of appeal or the ability for judicial monitoring since the power to do so could be abused to thwart examination or investigation by media groups. Government takedown orders have been issued for critical remarks or opinions posted on social media sites; most of the platforms have to abide by them, and just a few, like Twitter, have challenged them in court.

Conclusion

The new rules briefly cover the aspects of fact-checking, content takedown by Govt, and the relevance and scope of sections 69A and 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Hence, it is pertinent that the intermediaries maintain compliance with rules to ensure that the regulations are sustainable and efficient for the future. Despite these rules, the responsibility of the netizens cannot be neglected, and hence active civic participation coupled with such efficient regulations will go a long way in safeguarding the Indian cyber ecosystem.

Introduction

The integration of Artificial Intelligence into our daily workflows has compelled global policymakers to develop legislative frameworks to govern its impact efficiently. The question that we arrive at here is: While AI is undoubtedly transforming global economies, who governs the transformation? The EU AI Act was the first of its kind legislation to govern Artificial Intelligence, making the EU a pioneer in the emerging technology regulation space. This blog analyses the EU's Draft AI Rules and Code of Practice, exploring their implications for ethics, innovation, and governance.

Background: The Need for AI Regulation

AI adoption has been happening at a rapid pace and is projected to contribute  $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. The AI market size is expected to grow by at least 120% year-over-year. Both of these statistics have been stated in arguments citing concrete examples of AI risks (e.g., bias in recruitment tools, misinformation spread through deepfakes). Unlike the U.S., which relies on sector-specific regulations, the EU proposes a unified framework to address AI's challenges comprehensively, especially with the vacuum that exists in the governance of emerging technologies such as AI. It should be noted that the GDPR or the General Data Protection Regulation has been a success with its global influence on data privacy laws and has started a domino effect for the creation of privacy regulations all over the world. This precedent emphasises the EU's proactive approach towards regulations which are population-centric. 

Overview of the Draft EU AI Rules

This Draft General Purpose AI Code of Practice details the AI rules for the AI Act rules and the providers of general-purpose AI models with systemic risks. The European AI Office facilitated the drawing up of the code, and was chaired by independent experts and involved nearly 1000 stakeholders and EU member state representatives and observers both European and international observers.

14th November 2024 marks the publishing of the first draft of the EU’s General-Purpose AI Code of Practice, established by the EU AI Act. As per Article 56 of the EU AI Act, the code outlines the rules that operationalise the requirements, set out for General-Purpose AI (GPAI) model under Article 53 and GPAI models with systemic risks under Article 55. The AI Act is legislation that finds its base in product safety and relies on setting harmonised standards in order to support compliance. These harmonised standards are essentially sets of operational rules that have been established by the European Standardisation bodies, such as the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. Industry experts, civil society and trade unions are translating the requirements set out by the EU sectoral legislation into the specific mandates set by the European Commission. The AI Act obligates the developers, deployers and users of AI on mandates for transparency, risk management and compliance mechanisms 

The Code of Practice for General Purpose AI

The most popular applications of GPAI include ChatGPT and other foundational models such as CoPilot from Microsoft, BERT  from Google, Llama from Meta AI and many others and they are under constant development and upgradation.  The 36-pages long draft Code of Practice for General Purpose AI is meant to serve as a roadmap for tech companies to comply with the AI Act and avoid paying penalties. It focuses on transparency, copyright compliance, risk assessment, and technical/governance risk mitigation as the core areas for the companies that are developing GPAIs. It also lays down guidelines that look to enable greater transparency on what goes into developing GPAIs. 

The Draft Code's provisions for risk assessment focus on preventing cyber attacks, large-scale discrimination, nuclear and misinformation risks, and the risk of the models acting autonomously without oversight. 

Policy Implications

The EU’s Draft AI Rules and Code of Practice represent a bold step in shaping the governance of general-purpose AI, positioning the EU as a global pioneer in responsible AI regulation. By prioritising harmonised standards, ethical safeguards, and risk mitigation, these rules aim to ensure AI benefits society while addressing its inherent risks. While the code is a welcome step, the compliance burdens on MSMEs and startups could hinder innovation, whereas, the voluntary nature of the Code raises concerns about accountability. Additionally, harmonising these ambitious standards with varying global frameworks, especially in regions like the U.S. and India, presents a significant challenge to achieving a cohesive global approach.

Conclusion

The EU’s initiative to regulate general-purpose AI aligns with its legacy of proactive governance, setting the stage for a transformative approach to balancing innovation with ethical accountability. However, challenges remain. Striking the right balance is crucial to avoid stifling innovation while ensuring robust enforcement and inclusivity for smaller players. Global collaboration is the next frontier. As the EU leads, the world must respond by building bridges between regional regulations and fostering a unified vision for AI governance. This demands active stakeholder engagement, adaptive frameworks, and a shared commitment to addressing emerging challenges in AI. The EU’s Draft AI Rules are not just about regulation, they are about leading a global conversation. 

References

• https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/new-eu-ai-code-of-practice-draft-rules-9671152/ 
• https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/ai-code-practice 
• https://www.csis.org/analysis/eu-code-practice-general-purpose-ai-key-takeaways-first-draft#:~:text=Drafting%20of%20the%20Code%20of%20Practice%20is%20taking%20place%20under,the%20drafting%20of%20the%20code. 
• https://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2024/12/16/first-draft-of-the-general-purpose-ai-code-of-practice-has-been-released/

Introduction

Summer vacations have always been one of the most anticipated times in a child’s life. In earlier times, it was something entirely different. The season was filled with outdoor games, muddy hands, mango-stained mouths, and stories shared with cousins under the stars. Children lived in the moment, playing in parks, riding bicycles, and inventing new adventures without a screen in sight. Today, those same summer days are shaped by glowing devices, virtual games, and hours spent online. While technology brings learning and entertainment, it also invites risks that parents cannot ignore. The Cyber Mom Toolkit is here to help you navigate this shift, offering simple and thoughtful ways to keep your children safe, balanced, and joyful during these screen filled holidays.
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The Hidden Cyber Risks of Summer Break

With increased leisure time and less supervision, children are likely to venture into unknown reaches of the internet. I4C reports indicate that child-related cases, such as cyberbullying, sextortion, and viewing offensive content, surge during school vacations. Gaming applications, social networking applications, and YouTube can serve as entry points for cyber predators and spammers. That's why it is important that parents, particularly mothers know what digital spaces their children live in and how to intervene appropriately.

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Your Action Plan for Being a Cyber Smart Mom

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Moms Need to Get Digitally Engaged 

You do not need to be a tech expert to become a cyber smart mom. With just a few simple digital skills, you can start protecting your child online with confidence and ease.

1. Know the Platforms Your Children Use

Spend some time investigating apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, YouTube, or computer games like Roblox and Minecraft. Familiarise yourself with the type of content, chat options, and privacy loopholes they may have.

2. Install Parental Controls

Make use of native features on devices (Android, iOS, Windows) to limit screen time, block mature content, and track downloads. Applications such as Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time enable parents to control apps and web browsing. 

3. Develop a Family Cyber Agreement

• Establish common rules such as:
• No devices in bedrooms past 9 p.m.
• Add only safe connections on social media.
• Don't open suspicious messages or click on mysterious links.
• Always tell your mom if something makes you feel uncomfortable online.

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‍Talk Openly and Often

Kids tend to hide things online because they don't want to get punished or embarrassed. Trust is built better than monitoring. Here's how:

• Have non-judgmental chats about what they do online.
• Use news reports or real-life cases as conversation starters: "Did you hear about that YouTuber's hacked account?
• Encourage them to question things if they're confused or frightened.
• Honour their online life as a legitimate aspect of their lives.

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Look for the Signs of Online Trouble

Stay alert to subtle changes in your child’s behavior, as they can be early signs of trouble in their online world.

• Sudden secrecy or aggression when questioned about online activity.
• Overuse of screens, particularly in the evening.
• Deterioration in school work or interest in leisure activities.
• Mood swings, anxiety, or withdrawn behaviour.

If you notice these, speak to your child calmly. You can also report serious matters such as cyberbullying or blackmail on the Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or visit https://cybercrime.gov.in

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Support Healthy Digital Behaviours

Teach your kids to be good netizens by leading them to:

• Reflect Before Posting: No address, school name, or family information should ever appear in public posts.
• Set Strong Passwords: Passwords must be long, complicated, and not disclosed to friends, even best friends.
• Enable Privacy Settings: Keep social media accounts privately. Disable location sharing. Restrict comments and messages from others.
• Vigilance: Encourage them to spot fake news, scams, and manipulative ads. Critical thinking is the ultimate defence.

Stay alert to subtle changes in your child’s behavior, as they can be early signs of trouble in their online world.

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Where to Learn More and Get Support as a Cyber Mom

Cyber moms looking to deepen their understanding of online safety can explore a range of helpful resources offered by CyberPeace. Our blog features easy-to-understand articles on current cyber threats, safety tips, and parenting guidance for the digital age. You can also follow our social media pages for regular updates, quick tips, and awareness campaigns designed especially for families. If you ever feel concerned or need help, the CyberPeace Helpline is available to offer support and guidance. (+91 9570000066 or write to us at helpline@cyberpeace.net). For those who want to get more involved, joining the CyberPeace Corps allows you to become part of a larger community working to promote digital safety and cyber awareness across the country.

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Empowering Mothers Empowers Society

We at CyberPeace feel that every mother, irrespective of her background and technological expertise, has the potential to be a Cyber Mom. The intention is not to control the child but to mentor towards safer decisions, identify issues early, and prepare them for a lifetime of online responsibility. Mothers are empowered when they know. And children are safe when they are protected.

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Conclusion

The web isn't disappearing, and neither are its dangers. But when mothers are digital role models, they can make summer screen time a season of wise decisions. This summer, become a Cyber Mom: someone who learns, leads, and listens. Whether it's installing a parental control app, discussing openly about cyberbullying, or just asking your child, "What did you discover online today? " that engagement can make a difference. This summer break, help your child become digitally equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the online world safely and confidently.

Cyber safety starts at home, and there's no better point of departure than being alongside your child, rather than behind them.

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References

• https://cybercrime.gov.in
• https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT208982
• https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com
• https://www.cyberpeace.org
• https://ncpcr.gov.in

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