#FactCheck - Viral image circulating on social media depicts a natural optical illusion from Epirus, Greece.

Introduction

The Pahalgam terror attack, which took place on April 22, 2025, was a tragic incident that shook the nation. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally took over the Pahalgam terrorist attack case on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Following India's strikes on Pakistan, tensions between the two countries have heightened, leading to concerns about potential escalation, including the risk of cyber attacks and the spread of misinformation that could further complicate the situation.  It is crucial for corporations, critical sectors, and all netizens in India to stay proactive and vigilant against cyber attacks, while also being cautious of the risks of misinformation. This includes protecting themselves from being affected and avoiding the inadvertent or deliberate spread of false information.

Be Careful with the Information You Consume and Share

It is crucial to note that the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has alerted citizens to stay cautious of fake narratives being circulated by Pakistani handles. Through an official fact check, PIB debunked several misleading claims aimed at undermining India’s internal stability and security forces. Citizens are urged to verify any suspicious content via PIB Fact Check before sharing it further. As social media becomes a hub for viral content, netizens must be cautious about the information they consume and share. Misleading information, old videos, false claims, and misinformation flood the platform, making it essential to be mindful of the content you consume and share, as spreading unverified content can have severe consequences.

CyberPeace Recommends Following Crucial Cyber Safety Tips to Stay Vigilant Against Potential Digital Threats:

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• Do not open/download any video file you receive in social media groups or from unknown sources.
• As per several media reports, a video file named "Dance of the Hilary" is being circulated, which may be intended for a cyber attack on India. Please refrain from clicking, downloading, or sharing any such file. Additionally, there are reports of suspicious files circulating on WhatsApp, including tasksche.exe, OperationSindoor.ppt, and OperationSindhu.pptx. Do not download or open any of these files, as they may pose a serious cyber threat. 
• To receive accurate alerts, you can enable government notifications on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Notifications and scroll down to Government Alerts. Make sure all the toggles under Government Alerts are turned on. This will allow you to receive timely information and important alerts from government agencies, and your device will display critical notifications to keep you informed and safe.
• Turn off automatic media download in WhatsApp to reduce the risk of downloading potentially harmful files.
• To protect your privacy, disable location services on apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and X unless absolutely necessary.
• Refrain from sharing sensitive information like government data, confidential details, or personal records on unsecured devices or networks.
• To avoid misinformation and manipulation during conflict, verifying and cross-checking the news before sharing it with anyone is crucial. Stay updated with official news updates, and be cautious while sharing information.

Conclusion

In times of heightened tensions, all of us need to stay vigilant, protect our digital spaces, and verify the information we encounter. Together, we can safeguard ourselves from cyber threats and misinformation, ensuring the safety, stability, and digital security of our nation. As proud citizens, let us unite to protect both our physical and digital well-being.

References

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pakistan-has-unleashed-propaganda-machine-in-response-to-successful-operation-sindoor-ib-ministry/article69549084.ece
• https://sambadenglish.com/national-international-news/india/centre-asks-people-to-stay-alert-against-misinformation-in-social-media-9048169
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLHo_Vd1_H0&t=19s

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On 6 June 2025, the EU Council officially adopted the revised Cybersecurity Blueprint, marking a significant evolution from the 2017 guidance. This framework, formalised through Council Recommendation COM(2025) 66 final, responds to a transformed threat environment and reflects new legal milestones like the NIS2 Directive (Network and Information Security Directive) and the Cyber Solidarity Act.

From Fragmented Response to Cohesive Strategy

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Between 2017 and now, EU member states have built various systems to manage cyber incidents. Still, real-world events and exercises highlighted critical gaps - uncoordinated escalation procedures, inconsistent terminology, and siloed information flows. The updated Blueprint addresses these issues by focusing on a harmonised operational architecture for the EU. It defines a clear crisis lifecycle with five stages: Detection, Analysis, Escalation, Response, and Recovery. Each stage is supported by common communication protocols, decision-making processes, and defined roles. Consistency is key; standardised terminology along with a broad scope of application that eases cross-border collaboration and empowers coherent response efforts.

Legal Foundations: NIS2, ENISA & EU‑CyCLONe

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Several core pillars of EU cybersecurity directly underpin the Blueprint:

• ENISA – The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity continues to play a central role. It supports CSIRTs' Network operations, leads EU‑CyCLONe ( European cyber crisis liaison organisation network) coordination, conducts simulation exercises, and gives training on incident management
• NIS2 Directive, particularly Article 16, is a follow-up of NIS. NIS2 mandates operators of critical infrastructure and essential services to implement appropriate security measures and report incidents to the relevant authorities. Compared to NIS, NIS2 expands its EU-wide security requirements and scope of covered organisations and sectors to improve the security of supply chains, simplify reporting obligations, and enforce more stringent measures and sanctions throughout Europe. It also formally legitimises the EU‑CyCLONe network, which is the crisis liaison mechanism bridging technical teams from member states.

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These modern tools, integrated with legal backing, ensure the Blueprint isn’t just theoretical; it’s operationally enforceable.

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What’s Inside the Blueprint?

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The 2025 Blueprint enhances several critical areas:

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1. Clear Escalation Triggers - It spells out when a national cyber incident merits EU-level attention, especially those affecting critical infrastructure across borders. Civilian Military Exchange. The Blueprint encourages structured information sharing with defence institutions and NATO, recognising that cyber incidents often have geopolitical implications 
2. Recovery & Lessons Learned – A dedicated chapter ensures systematic post-incident reviews and shared learning among member states.

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Adaptive & Resilient by Design

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Rather than a static document, the Blueprint is engineered to evolve:

• Regular Exercises: Built into the framework are simulation drills that are known as Blueprint Operational Level Exercises—to test leadership response and cross-border coordination via EU‑CyCLONe
• Dynamic Reviews: The system promotes continuous iteration- this includes revising protocols, learning from real incidents, and refining role definitions.
  
  

This iterative, learning-oriented architecture aims to ensure the Blueprint remains robust amid rapidly evolving threats, including AI-boosted hacks and hybrid cyber campaigns.

Global Implications & Lessons for Others

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The EU’s Cybersecurity Blueprint sets a global benchmark in cyber resilience and crisis governance:

• Blueprint for Global Coordination: The EU’s method of defined crisis stages, empowered liaison bodies (like EU‑CyCLONe), and continuous exercise can inspire other regional blocs or national governments to build their own crisis mechanisms.
• Public–Private Synergy: The Blueprint’s insistence on cooperation between governments and private-sector operators of essential services (e.g., energy, telecom, health) provides a model for forging robust ecosystems.
• Learning & Sharing at Scale: Its requirement for post-crisis lessons and peer exchange can fuel a worldwide knowledge network, cultivating resilience across jurisdictions.

Conclusion

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The 2025 EU Cybersecurity Blueprint is more than an upgrade; it’s a strategic shift toward operational readiness, legal coherence, and collaborative resilience. Anchored in NIS2 and ENISA, and supported by EU‑CyCLONe, it replaces fragmented guidance with a well-defined, adaptive model. Its adoption signals a transformative moment in global cyber governance as for nations building crisis frameworks, the Blueprint offers a tested, comprehensive template: define clear stages, equip liaison networks, mandate drills, integrate lessons, and legislate coordination. In an era where cyber threats transcend borders, this proves to be an important development that can offer guidance and set a precedent.

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For India, the EU Cybersecurity Blueprint offers a valuable reference point as we strengthen our own frameworks through initiatives like the DPDP Act, the upcoming Digital India Act and CERT-In’s evolving mandates. It reinforces the importance of coordinated response systems, cross-sector drills, and legal clarity. As cyber threats grow more complex, such global models can complement our national efforts and enhance regional cooperation.

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References

• https://industrialcyber.co/expert/the-eus-cybersecurity-blueprint-and-the-future-of-cyber-crisis-management/
• https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/06/06/eu-adopts-blueprint-to-better-manage-european-cyber-crises-and-incidents/ 
• https://www.enisa.europa.eu/topics/eu-incident-response-and-cyber-crisis-management 
• https://www.enisa.europa.eu/news/new-cyber-blueprint-to-scale-up-the-eu-cybersecurity-crisis-management 
• https://www.isc2.org/Insights/2025/01/EU-Cyber-Solidarity-Act 
• https://www.enisa.europa.eu/topics/eu-incident-response-and-cyber-crisis-management/eu-cyclone 
• https://nis2directive.eu/what-is-nis2/ 

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Introduction 

Betting has long been associated with sporting activities and has found a growing presence in online gaming and esports globally. As the esports industry continues to expand, Statista has projected that it will reach a market value of $5.9 billion by 2029. As such, associated markets have also seen significant growth. In 2024, this segment accounted for an estimated $2.5 billion globally. While such engagement avenues are popular among international audiences, they also bring attention to concerns around regulation, integrity, and user protection. As esports builds its credibility and reach, especially among younger demographics, these aspects become increasingly important to address in policy and practice.

What Does Esports Betting Involve? 

Much like traditional sports, esports engagement in some regions includes the practice of wagering on teams, players, or match outcomes. But it is inherently more complex. The accurate valuation of odds in online gaming and esports can be complicated by frequently updated game titles, changing teams, and shifting updates to game mechanics (called metas- most effective strategies). Bets can be placed using real money, virtual items like skins (digital avatars), or increasingly, cryptocurrency. 

Esports and Wagering: Emerging Issues and Implications

1. Legal Grey Areas:  While countries like South Korea and some USA states have dedicated regulations for esports betting and licensed bookmaking, most do not. This creates legal grey areas for betting service providers to access unregulated markets, increasing the risk of fraud, money laundering, and exploitation of bettors in those regions.  
2. The Skill v/s Chance Dilemma:  Most gambling laws across the world regulate betting based on the distinction between ‘games of skill’ and ‘games of chance’.  Betting on the latter is typically illegal, since winning depends on chance. But the definitions of ‘skill’ and ‘chance’ may vary by jurisdiction. Also, esports betting often blurs into gambling.  Outcomes may depend on player skill, but in-game economies like skin betting and unpredictable gameplay introduce elements of chance, complicating regulation and making enforcement difficult.
3. Underage Gambling and Addiction Risks: Players are often minors and are exposed to the gambling ecosystem due to gamified betting through reward systems like loot boxes. These often mimic the mechanics of betting, normalising gambling behaviours among young users before they fully understand the risks. This can lead to the development of addictive behaviours. 
4. Match-Fixing and Loss of Integrity: Esports are particularly susceptible to match-fixing because of weak regulation, financial pressures, and the anonymity of online betting. Instances like the Dota 2 Southeast Asia Scandals (2023) and Valorant match-fixing in North America (2021) can jeopardise audience trust and sponsorships. This affects the trustworthiness of minor tournaments, where talent is discovered.
5. Cybersecurity and Data Risks:  Esports betting apps collect sensitive user data, making them an attractive target for cybercrime. Bettors are susceptible to identity theft, financial fraud, and data breaches, especially on unlicensed platforms. 

Way Forward

To strengthen trust, ensure user safety, and protect privacy within the esports ecosystem, responsible management of betting practices can be achieved through targeted interventions focused on:

1. National-Level Regulations: Countries like India have a large online gaming and esports market. It will need to create a regulatory authority along the lines of the UK’s Gambling Commission and update its gambling laws to protect consumers.   
2. Protection of Minors: Setting guardrails such as age verification, responsible advertising, anti-fraud mechanisms, self-exclusion tools, and spending caps can help to keep a check on gambling by minors.
3. Harmonizing Global Standards:  Since esports is inherently global, aligning core regulatory principles across jurisdictions (such as through multi-country agreements or voluntary industry codes of conduct) can help create consistency while avoiding overregulation. 
4. Co-Regulation: Governments, esports organisers, betting platforms, and player associations should work closely to design effective, well-informed policies. This can help uphold the interests of all stakeholders in the industry.

Conclusion

Betting in esports is inevitable. But the industry faces a double dilemma- overregulating on the one hand, or letting gambling go unchecked, on the other. Both can be detrimental to its growth. This is why there is a need for industry actors like policymakers, platforms and organisers to work together to harmonise legal inconsistencies, protect vulnerable users and invest in forming data security. Forming industry-wide ethics boards, promoting regional regulatory dialogue, and instating transparency measures for betting operators can be a step in this direction to ensure that esports evolves into a mature, trusted global industry.

Sources 

• https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/esports/esports-betting/worldwide 
• https://www.skrill.com/en/skrill-news/gaming/how-does-esports-betting-work/ 
• https://www.si.com/esports/betting/biggest-challenges-esports-betting ‍
• https://www.topesportsbettingsites.com/country/india/