#FactCheck -AI-Generated Image Falsely Shows Amit Shah and Jay Shah Travelling in Charter Plane Amid Austerity Appeal
Executive Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to citizens to reduce the consumption of gold and edible oil for a year. He also urged people to conserve petrol, diesel, and cooking gas amid the crisis arising from the ongoing tensions in West Asia involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Amid this backdrop, a purported image of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his son Jay Shah, who currently serves as Chairman of the International Cricket Council, has gone viral on social media. The image shows them seated inside a chartered aircraft along with two other individuals. Several social media users shared the picture as genuine while targeting the central government and Amit Shah.
However, CyberPeace Research Wing reseach found that the viral image is fake and was generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Claim
An Instagram user named “Om Prakash Shukla” shared the viral image on May 24, 2026, with the caption:“People are sacrificing their desires for the nation, while they are enjoying luxury.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYuFqnmCh7T
Fact Check
To verify the authenticity of the viral image, we conducted a Google Lens search. However, the image was not found on any credible news platform, which raised suspicion about its authenticity. We also performed keyword-based searches related to the image using Google Search, but found no authentic reports or media coverage associated with the picture.
Further reseach involved analysing the image using AI detection tools. We first examined the picture using the “Sight Engine” AI detection tool, which indicated a 99 percent probability that the image was AI-generated.
We also tested the image using another AI detection platform called “TruthScan.” This tool likewise suggested, with around 97 percent probability, that the image had been created using artificial intelligence
Conclusion
The reseach found that the viral image featuring Union Home Minister Amit Shah and ICC Chairman Jay Shah inside a chartered aircraft is AI-generated. The image was digitally created using AI tools, and the viral claim associated with it is false.
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Introduction
Microchips are the invisible foundation of the modern economy. From consumer electronics and automotive manufacturing to military defense and artificial intelligence, virtually every critical industry relies on semiconductor supply chains. Yet, despite their ubiquity, chip manufacturing remains one of the most complex and concentrated supply networks on the planet. This explainer breaks down the global semiconductor ecosystem: how chips are produced, where the primary vulnerabilities lie, and why control over silicon has become the defining geopolitical battleground of our time.
A Chip Crosses More Borders Than Most People Do
Chipmaking is a relay race across continents. Engineers design the layout, then factories carve it onto silicon wafers so precisely that a particle of dust can ruin a batch. A single chip may be designed in the United States, made in Taiwan on Dutch equipment, assembled in Malaysia or Vietnam, and soldered in China or India. Thus, the entire link in the chain is vulnerable, and the failure of one weak element will lead to the stoppage of the entire chain. The forecast for the industry in 2021 was complicated by pandemic-related constraints and record demand, resulting in the disruption of automakers’ production costs by $210 billion and the loss of 7.7 million vehicles, according to AlixPartners
The Geography of Silicon Power
Manufacturing clusters in East Asia: Taiwan is focused on advanced manufacturing, South Korea – on memory (Samsung, SK Hynix), Japan – on chemicals and equipment. South Korea is ready to double its DRAM production in 2026 by increasing it 5 times than 2025. China is seeking to reduce its dependence on imports, but it is not as far along in advanced manufacturing as many analysts believe. The US holds much of the underlying IP but manufactures a smaller share of it — TSMC's Arizona campus shows the shift, growing from $12 billion to over $165 billion, with a further $100 billion expansion announced in mid-2026 that could push the total to $265 billion, potentially the largest foreign direct investment in US history.
Foundry, Fabless, or Both?
The semiconductor industry runs on three primary business models:
- Fabless (Design-Only): Companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Qualcomm focus exclusively on architecture, intellectual property, and circuit design. They outsource all physical fabrication to specialised manufacturers, which helps them stay agile.
- Pure-Play Foundries (Manufacturing-Only): Dedicated contract manufacturers, most prominently TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), take designs from fabless firms and produce the physical wafers. They invest billions annually in advanced lithography and don’t compete in product design.
- Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs): Legacy companies like Intel and Samsung manage the entire lifecycle, from designing and fabricating to packaging their own chips. However, maintaining both cutting-edge design and manufacturing capabilities has become more and more difficult, leading IDMs to adopt hybrid foundry strategies.
Advanced Packaging: The New Frontier
For decades, the primary driver of semiconductor performance was Moore’s Law: shrinking transistor dimensions on a single silicon die. But physical limitations are making traditional scaling prohibitively expensive, making the industry shift its focus to Advanced Packaging. Techniques like 2.5D and 3D stacking combine multiple chips with short, dense wiring, boosting speed and efficiency without shrinking transistors, which are crucial for AI hardware. TSMC's CoWoS platform is now considered as critical as fabrication itself, with demand regularly outpacing supply. Because packaging needs far less capital than a leading-edge fab, more countries are racing to build local packaging capacity.
Who Actually Runs This Industry
A few companies dominate the market. TSMC is the biggest contract manufacturer of chips, while Samsung is both a designer and a manufacturer. Intel is re-establishing its foundry business, while Nvidia has taken over the market for AI and graphics processing units. Qualcomm and MediaTek dominate the market for mobile phone chips, and AMD competes in the personal computer market. Finally, there is one tiny Dutch company, ASML, which has a monopoly on the most advanced lithography tools, called extreme ultraviolet, or EUV. Each such machine costs more than $15 billion, so there is no real competition for now. Broadcom, Micron, and SK Hynix are other important players, as they are major suppliers of memory chips for computers and cars, as well as AI chips.
Where Things Are Headed
AI remains central, pushing advanced packaging and high-bandwidth memory to the top of every strategy; SEMI projects 300mm memory equipment investment will exceed $50 billion in 2026. Trade policy now matters as much as technology. In January 2026, the U.S. imposed a 25 per cent tariff on advanced semiconductors and began applying case-by-case reviews to previously near-automatic rejections of requests for Chinese firms to buy state-of-the-art chips for use in artificial intelligence computers. The U.S. is incentivizing Taiwanese manufacturers to make semiconductors in America while South Korea, Japan, and the European Union have made efforts to encourage investment in their own display technology. According to an article from Bloomberg published in July 2026, new fabrication plants face a danger of being delayed for years due to a shortage of skilled workers, resulting in billions of dollars wasted on investments.
Conclusion
Ultimately, semiconductors represent the ultimate convergence of technology, commerce, and geopolitics. A single speck of silicon now carries the weight of global GDP, national security, and the future of artificial intelligence. As trade barriers rise and supply chains re-align, control over these micro-foundations will decide which economies lead and which get left behind. The next decade will be won by mastering advanced packaging, talent management, and forging strategic alliances.
References
AlixPartners. "Semiconductor Shortages to Cost the Auto Industry Billions." September 2021
TSMC. "TSMC Arizona." Company overview
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). "Global Semiconductor Market Surges Beyond $1.5T 2026."
Introduction
In recent years, the online gaming sector has seen tremendous growth and is one of the fastest-growing components of the creative economy, contributing significantly to innovation, employment generation and export earnings. India possesses a large pool of skilled young professionals, strong technological capabilities and a rapidly growing domestic market, which together provide an opportunity for the country to assume a leadership role in the global value chain of online gaming. With this, the online gaming industry has also faced an environment of exploitation, abuse, with notable cases of fraud, money laundering, and other emerging cybercrimes. In order to protect the interests of players, ensure fair play and competition, safe and secure online gaming environment, the need for introducing and establishing dedicated gaming regulation was a need of the hour.
On 20 August 2025, the Union government introduced a new bill, ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025’ in Lok Sabha that seeks to prohibit online money gaming, including advertisements and financial transactions related to such platforms. From the introduction, the said bill was passed at 5 PM on the same date. Further, the upper house of parliament (Rajya Sabha) passed the bill on 21st August 2025. The bill can be seen as a progressive step towards building safer online gaming spaces for everyone, especially for our youth and combating the emerging cybercrime threats present in the online gaming landscape.
Key Highlights of the Bill
The Bill extends to the whole of India. It also applies to any online money gaming service offered within India or operated from outside the country but accessible in India.
- Definition of E-sports:
Section 2(1)(c) of the Bill defines e-sports as:-
(i) is played as part of multi-sports events;
(ii) involves organised competitive events between individuals or teams, conducted in multiplayer formats governed by predefined rules;
(iii) is duly recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and registered with the Authority or agency under section 3;
(iv) has outcome determined solely by factors such as physical dexterity, mental agility, strategic thinking or other similar skills of users as players;
(v) may include payment of registration or participation fees solely for the purpose of entering the competition or covering administrative costs and may include performance-based prize money by the player; and
(vi)shall not involve the placing of bets, wagers or any other stakes by any person, whether or not such person is a participant, including any winning out of such bets, wagers or any other stakes;
- Prohibition of Online Money Gaming and Advertisement thereof
The Bill prohibits the offering of online money games and online money gaming services. It also bans all forms of advertisements or promotions connected to online money games. This includes endorsements by individuals or entities. - Financial Transactions
Banks, financial institutions, and other intermediaries are barred from facilitating transactions related to online money gaming services. - Criminal Liability
Violation of the provisions on online money gaming can result in imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of up to ₹1 crore, or both. Repeat offenders face stricter punishment with higher fines and longer jail terms. - Cognizable and Non-Bailable Offences
Offences relating to offering online money gaming services and facilitating financial transactions for such games are categorised as cognizable and non-bailable. This gives law enforcement agencies greater power to act without requiring prior approval.
In conversation with CyberPeace ~
Shailendra Vikram Singh, Former Deputy Secretary (Cyber & Information Security), Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI . He highlighted that
"The passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha highlights the government’s growing priority on national security, public safety, and health in digital regulation. Unfortunately, the real money gaming industry, despite its growth and promise, did not take proactive steps to address these concerns. The absence of safeguards and engagement left the government with no choice but to adopt a blanket ban."Having worked on this issue from both the government and industry side, the clear lesson is that in sensitive digital sectors, early regulatory alignment and constructive dialogue are not optional but essential. Going forward, collaboration is the only way to achieve a balance between innovation and responsibility.”
CyberPeace Outlook
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, marks a decisive policy shift by simultaneously fostering the growth of e-sports, educational and social gaming, and imposing an absolute prohibition on online money games. By recognising e-sports as legitimate, skill-based competitive sports under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and establishing a central Authority for oversight, registration, and regulation, the Bill creates an institutional framework for safe and responsible development of the sector. The Bill completely bans real money games (RMGs), regardless of whether they are skill-based or chance-based or both, hence it poses significant questions on RMG companies' legal standing, upon which the gaming industry has raised its conundrum. Further, it addresses urgent threats such as cybercrime, gaming addiction, online betting, money laundering, and the misuse of gaming platforms for illicit activities. The move reflects a balanced approach, encouraging innovation and digital skill-building, while safeguarding public order, consumer interests, and financial integrity.
References
- https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2025/Bill_Text-Online_Gaming_Bill_2025.pdf
- https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-promotion-and-regulation-of-online-gaming-bill-2025
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-clears-online-gaming-bill-a-day-after-lok-sabha-approval-101755766847840.html
The digital ecosystem of India has experienced rapid growth, which has created numerous opportunities for economic development, better governance and increased social connections. The increasing use of digital technology has resulted in a higher incidence of cyber-enabled crimes, which include online fraud and cyber harassment, child exploitation and the spread of misinformation. The Government of India has established multiple initiatives to enhance a complete and unified framework that will help in combatting cybercrime more effectively. The latest updates presented to Parliament demonstrate how different institutional frameworks and legal provisions, capacity building efforts, and public awareness programs work together to handle new cyber threats.
A Coordinated Institutional Framework
The Indian system for investigating and prosecuting cybercrimes assigns responsibility to States and Union Territories, which operate their own Law Enforcement Agencies. The central government established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to support these operations through its Ministry of Home Affairs.
The I4C functions as a central hub that allows various stakeholders in cybercrime prevention and investigation to share intelligence and build their operational capacities. The initiative establishes a cybersecurity system that will improve its organisational structure through better central and state agency collaboration.
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) serves as a primary project of this framework by providing online cyber incident reporting for citizens. The portal enables users to register complaints more efficiently while enhancing access to crime reporting, which particularly benefits victims of crimes against women and children. The system offers special channels which allow users to report Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) and rape-related materials while providing options for anonymous reporting and case tracking. After a complaint is lodged, the appropriate state authorities initiate the process to investigate the matter and proceed with legal procedures.
Capacity Building and Cyber Forensics
The response to cybercrime requires both expert investigators and advanced forensic technology systems. The Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme, which provides financial backing and technical training to states and union territories, was instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to address this requirement.
The scheme has authorised the release of ₹132.93 crore for developing cyber forensic facilities and investigative technologies. The funding has supported the establishment of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories across multiple states and union territories. The total number of operational laboratories has reached 33 at this time.
The organisation has prioritised its training initiatives together with its infrastructure development projects. More than 24,600 law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and judicial officers have received training on cybercrime investigation, digital evidence handling, and forensic analysis. The capacity-building initiatives were designed to provide investigators and judicial authorities with essential skills needed to handle advanced cyber incidents.
International Cooperation for Child Protection
International cooperation is essential for addressing online child exploitation because these crimes utilise digital networks that connect multiple countries. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) established a partnership with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) of the United States in 2019 through a Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to enhance regional collaboration in this field.
The partnership enables the sharing of tipline reports about online child exploitation, which Indian authorities use for their investigative work. Under the Information Technology Act provisions, NCRB has received official powers to issue removal notices to intermediaries because they oversee child sexual abuse material and other dangerous content.
Promoting Online Safety Awareness
Cybercrime prevention requires two essential elements, which are public knowledge and digital expertise. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has developed several resources to educate children, parents, teachers, and school administrators about online safety. The guidelines include Being Safe Online, together with school safety manuals that protect against cyberbullying and the 2024 updates, which provide new recommendations for cyberbullying prevention. The commission has established multiple conferences and training sessions throughout various states to educate both educators and school administrators about child protection regulations and school security measures, and cyber protection standards.
The digital responsibility programs educate communities about proper online conduct and teach them how to recognise and handle cybersecurity threats.
Legal Framework for Digital Safety
The Information Technology Act of 2000, together with the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules of 2021, (Updated as of 2026) serve as the core legal foundation through which India combats cybercrime. The laws establish penalties for online distribution of obscene and sexually explicit material while requiring digital intermediaries to block access to illegal content.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 contains additional legal provisions that deal with two types of offences that involve disseminating obscene material and spreading dangerous misinformation.
The regulatory framework requires intermediaries to eliminate illegal content within specified timeframes, while they must prevent their platforms from being used to conduct dangerous or unlawful activities.
Conclusion
India establishes its cybercrime response strategy through a multi-layered method that uses different institutional systems, technological systems, legal systems, and public education programs. Cyber threats develop through technological progress, yet authorities must establish effective cybersecurity, which depends on their ability to investigate, their systems for reporting incidents, and their dedication to maintaining proper online conduct.
India needs continuous cooperation among government bodies, police forces, technology companies, and community organisations to maintain secure and strong digital networks that provide equal access to all citizens.
References
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2238260®=3&lang=2
- https://www.policyedge.in/p/rajya-sabha-strengthening-indias-coordinated-response-to-cyber-crimes
