#FactCheck - Viral Photo of Dilapidated Bridge Misattributed to Kerala, Originally from Bangladesh

Introduction

Twitter is a popular social media plate form with millions of users all around the world. Twitter’s blue tick system, which verifies the identity of high-profile accounts, has been under intense scrutiny in recent years. The platform must face backlash from its users and brands who have accused it of basis, inaccuracy, and inconsistency in its verification process. This blog post will explore the questions raised on the verification process and its impact on users and big brands.

What is Twitter’s blue trick System?

The blue tick system was introduced in 2009 to help users identify the authenticity of well-known public figures, Politicians, celebrities, sportspeople, and big brands. The Twitter blue Tick system verifies the identity of high-profile accounts to display a blue badge next to your username.

According to a survey, roughly there are 294,000 verified Twitter Accounts which means they have a blue tick badge with them and have also paid the subscription for the service, which is nearly $7.99 monthly, so think about those subscribers who have paid the amount and have also lost their blue badge won’t they feel cheated?

The Controversy

Despite its initial aim, the blue tick system has received much criticism from consumers and brands. Twitter’s irregular and non-transparent verification procedure has sparked accusations of prejudice and inaccuracy. Many Twitter users have complained that the network’s verification process is random and favours account with huge followings or celebrity status. In contrast, others have criticised the platform for certifying accounts that promote harmful or controversial content.

Furthermore, the verification mechanism has generated user confusion, as many need to understand the significance of the blue tick badge. Some users have concluded that the blue tick symbol represents a Twitter endorsement or that the account is trustworthy. This confusion has resulted in users following and engaging with verified accounts that promote misleading or inaccurate data, undermining the platform’s credibility.

How did the Blue Tick Row start in India?

On 21 May 2021, when the government asked Twitter to remove the blue badge from several profiles of high-profile Indian politicians, including the Indian National Congress Party Vice-President Mr Rahul Ghandhi.

The blue badge gives the users an authenticated identity. Many celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, popularly known as Big B, Vir Das, Prakash Raj, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, have lost their blue tick despite being verified handles.

What is the Twitter policy on blue tick?

To Twitter’s policy, blue verification badges may be removed from accounts if the account holder violates the company’s verification policy or terms of service. In such circumstances, Twitter typically notifies the account holder of the removal of the verification badge and the reason for the removal. In the instance of the “Twitter blue badge row” in India, however, it appears that Twitter did not notify the impacted politicians or their representatives before revoking their verification badges. Twitter’s lack of communication has exacerbated the controversy around the episode, with some critics accusing the company of acting arbitrarily and not following due process.

Is there a solution?

The “Twitter blue badge row” has no simple answer since it involves a complex convergence of concerns about free expression, social media policies, and government laws. However, here are some alternatives:

• Establish clear guidelines: Twitter should develop and constantly implement clear guidelines and policies for the verification process. All users, including politicians and government officials, would benefit from greater transparency and clarity.
• Increase transparency: Twitter’s decision-making process for deleting or restoring verification badges should be more open. This could include providing explicit reasons for badge removal, notifying impacted users promptly, and offering an appeals mechanism for those who believe their credentials were removed unfairly.
• Engage in constructive dialogue: Twitter should engage in constructive dialogue with government authorities and other stakeholders to address concerns about the platform’s content moderation procedures. This could contribute to a more collaborative approach to managing online content, leading to more effective and accepted policies.
• Follow local rules and regulations: Twitter should collaborate with the Indian government to ensure it conforms to local laws and regulations while maintaining freedom of expression. This could involve adopting more precise standards for handling requests for material removal or other actions from governments and other organisations.

Conclusion

To sum up, the “Twitter blue tick row” in India has highlighted the complex challenges that Social media faces daily in handling the conflicting interests of free expression, government rules, and their own content moderation procedures. While Twitter’s decision to withdraw the blue verification badges of several prominent Indian politicians garnered anger from the government and some public members, it also raised questions about the transparency and uniformity of Twitter’s verification procedure. In order to deal with this issue, Twitter must establish clear verification procedures and norms, promote transparency in its decision-making process, participate in constructive communication with stakeholders, and adhere to local laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Indian government should collaborate with social media platforms to create more effective and acceptable laws that balance the necessity for free expression and the protection of citizens’ rights. The “Twitter blue tick row” is just one example of the complex challenges that social media platforms face in managing online content, and it emphasises the need for greater collaboration among platforms, governments, and civil society organisations to develop effective solutions that protect both free expression and citizens’ rights.

Introduction 

In the digital era, where technology is growing rapidly,  the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making its way to different corners of the world. Where nothing seems to be impossible, technology and innovation have been moving conjointly and once again, and such innovation is in the limelight with its groundbreaking initiative known as “Project Groot”, which has been announced by the AI chip leader “Nvidia”. The core of this project is the fusion of technology with AI and robotics, where a humanoid can be produced with the capability to understand the natural language and interact with it to further learn from the physical environment by observing human actions and skills. Project Groot aims to assist humans in diverse sectors such as Healthcare and so on. 

Humanoid robots are based on NVIDIA’s thor system-on-chip (SoC). The thor powers the intelligence of these robots, and the chip has been designed to handle complex tasks and ensure a safe and natural interaction between humans and robots. However, a big question arises about the ethical considerations of privacy, autonomy and the possible replacement of human workers. 

Brief Analysis 

Nvidia has announced Project GR00T, or Generalist Robot 00 Technology, which aims to create AI-powered humanoid robots with human-like understanding and movement. The project is part of Nvidia's efforts to drive breakthroughs in robotics and embodied AI, which can interact with and learn from a physical environment. The robots built on this platform are designed to understand natural language and emulate movements by observing human actions, such as coordination, dexterity, and other skills.

The model has been trained on NVIDIA GPU-accelerated simulation, enabling the robots to learn from human demonstrations with imitation learning and from the robotics platform NVIDIA Isaac Lab for reinforcement learning. This multimodal AI system acts as the mind for humanoid robots, allowing them to learn new skills and interact with the real world. Leading names in robotics, such as Figure, Boston Dynamics, Apptronik, Agility Robotics, Sanctuary AI, and Unitree, are reported to have collaborated with Nvidia to leverage GR00T.

Nvidia has also updated Isaac with Isaac Manipulator and Isaac Perceptor, which add multi-camera 3D vision. The company also unveiled a new computer, Jetson Thor, to aid humanoid robots based on NVIDIA's SoC, which is designed to handle complex tasks and ensure a safe and natural interaction between humans and robots.

Despite the potential job loss associated with humanoid robots potentially handling hazardous and repetitive tasks, many argue that they can aid humans and make their lives more comfortable rather than replacing them.

Policy Recommendations 

The Nvidia project highlights a significant development in AI Robotics, presenting a brimming potential and ethical challenges critical for the overall development and smooth assimilation of AI-driven tech in society. To ensure its smooth assimilation, a comprehensive policy framework must be put in place. This includes:

• Human First Policy - Emphasis should be on better augmentation rather than replacement. The authorities must focus on better research and development (R&D) of applications that aid in modifying human capabilities, enhancing working conditions, and playing a role in societal growth. 
• Proper Ethical Guidelines - Guidelines stressing human safety, autonomy and privacy should be established. These norms must include consent for data collection, fair use of AI in decision making and proper protocols for data security. 
• Deployment of Inclusive Technology - Access to AI Driven Robotics tech should be made available to diverse sectors of society. It is imperative to address potential algorithm bias and design flaws to avoid discrimination and promote inclusivity.
• Proper Regulatory Frameworks - It is crucial to establish regulatory frameworks to govern the smooth deployment and operation of AI-driven tech. The framework must include certification for safety and standards, frequent audits and liability protocols to address accidents. 
• Training Initiatives - Educational programs should be introduced to train the workforce for integrating AI driven robotics and their proper handling. Upskilling of the workforce should be the top priority of corporations to ensure effective integration of AI Robotics. 
• Collaborative Research Initiatives - AI and emerging technologies have a profound impact on the trajectory of human development. It is imperative to foster collaboration among governments, industry and academia to drive innovation in AI robotics responsibly and undertake collaborative initiatives to mitigate and address technical, societal, legal and ethical issues posed by AI Robots. 

Conclusion 

On the whole, Project GROOT is a significant quantum leap in the advancement of robotic technology and indeed paves the way for a future where robots can integrate seamlessly into various aspects of human lives. 

References

• https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/what-is-nvidias-project-gr00t-impact-robotics-9225089/
• https://medium.com/paper-explanation/understanding-nvidias-project-groot-762d4246b76d
• https://www.techradar.com/pro/nvidias-project-groot-brings-the-human-robot-future-a-significant-step-closer
• https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/nvidia-gtc-ai-conference/card/nvidia-announces-ai-model-for-humanoid-robot-development-BwT9fewMyD6XbuBrEDSp

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Introduction

According to a draft of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, the Indian government may have the authority to reduce the age at which users can agree to data processing to 14 years. Companies requesting consent to process children’s data, on the other hand, must demonstrate that the information is handled in a “verifiably safe” manner.

The Central Government might change the age limit for consent

The proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022 in India attempts to protect child’s personal data under the age of 14 through several provisions. The proposed lower age of consent in India under the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022 is to loosen relevant norms and fulfil the demands of Internet corporations. After a year, the government may reconsider the definition of a child with the goal of expanding coverage to children under the age of 14. The proposed shift in the age of consent has elicited varied views, with some experts suggesting that it might potentially expose children to data processing concerns.

The definition of a child is understood to have been amended in the data protection Bill, which is anticipated to be submitted in Parliament’s Monsoon session, to an “individual who has not completed the age of eighteen years or such lower age as the central government may notify.” A child was defined as an “individual who has not completed eighteen years of age” in the 2022 draft.

Under deemed consent, the government has also added the 'legitimate business interest' clause

This clause allows businesses to process personal data without obtaining explicit consent if it is required for their legitimate business interests. The measure recognises that corporations have legitimate objectives, such as innovation, that can be pursued without jeopardising privacy.‍

Change in Data Protection Boards

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022, India’s new plan to secure personal data, represents a significant shift in strategy by emphasising outcomes rather than legislative compliance. This amendment will strengthen the Data Protection Board’s position, as its judgments on noncompliance complaints will establish India’s first systematic jurisprudence on data protection. The Cabinet has approved the bill and may be introduced in Parliament in the Monsoon session starting on July 20.

The draft law leaves the selection of the Data Protection Board’s chairperson and members solely to the discretion of the central government, making it a central government set-up board. The government retains control over the board’s composition, terms of service, and so on. The bill does specify, however, that the Data Protection Board would be completely independent and will have a strictly adjudicatory procedure to adjudicate data breaches. It has the same status as a civil court, and its rulings can be appealed.

India's first regulatory body in Charge of preserving privacy

Some expected amendments to the law include a blacklist of countries to which Indian data cannot be transferred and fewer penalties for data breaches. The bill’s scope is limited to processing digital personal data within Indian territory, which means that any offline personal data and anything not digitised will be exempt from the legislation’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, the measure is silent on the governance of digital paper records.

Conclusion

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022 is a much-needed piece of legislation that will replace India’s current data protection regime and assist in preserving individuals’ rights. Central Government is looking for a change in the age for consent from 18 to 14 years. The bill underlines the need for verifiable parental consent before processing a child’s personal data, including those under 18. This section seeks to ensure that parents or legal guardians have a say in the processing of their child’s personal data.