#FactCheck- Old US Troops Homecoming Video Falsely Linked to Iran Ceasefire
Executive Summary
Talks between the United States and Iran over a ceasefire reportedly held in Islamabad on Saturday ended without a resolution. Meanwhile, a video circulating on social media claims to show US troops returning home following a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict.
However, a research by the CyberPeace found the claim to be false. The viral video is not linked to any recent ceasefire. It actually dates back to March and shows the return of Iowa National Guard troops after months of deployment in the Middle East.
Claim
An X (formerly Twitter) user posted the video on April 7, 2026, claiming,“Another victory for Iran: American soldiers have started arriving home. After leaving the Middle East, American soldiers are saying, ‘Why did we fight for Israel? If Iran is talking about peace, we will also stand with them.’”
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. This led us to posts by Newsradio 1040 WHO, which had shared the same footage on March 12 across Facebook and Instagram.
In its caption, the radio station stated that nearly 600 Iowa soldiers had returned home after a nine-month deployment in the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. The segment, narrated by journalist Claire Burnett, explained that the soldiers belonged to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, and had been deployed to Iraq and Syria. The footage was recorded at the 132nd Wing base of the Iowa Air National Guard in Des Moines.
For further confirmation, a March 12 report by KCCI 8 News also showed the same aircraft and troops, verifying the authenticity and timeline of the footage
Operation Inherent Resolve, launched in 2014, is a US-led campaign aimed at supporting local forces in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and ensuring its lasting defeat.
https://www.kcci.com/article/iowans-welcome-national-guard-unit-home-from-deployment-in-middle-east/70729105
Conclusion
The viral claim is false and misleading. The video does not show US troops returning due to any recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Instead, it captures the routine homecoming of Iowa National Guard soldiers in March after completing a scheduled deployment in the Middle East.There is no evidence linking the footage to current geopolitical developments or any ceasefire agreement. The claim has been taken out of context and shared with a misleading narrative to create confusion around ongoing international events.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary
Amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and concerns over the safety of commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members, a purported ABP News video clip has been circulating on social media. The clip, along with an accompanying image, claims that in response to alleged US attacks on ships carrying Indian citizens, the Indian government removed security arrangements outside the US Embassy in New Delhi and withdrew identity cards issued to American diplomats. The viral post also includes an image showing a JCB machine near the US Embassy, which users are sharing as alleged evidence of recent government action against the United States CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The probe revealed that both the video clip and the image are not recent and are in fact related to events from 2013, during the diplomatic tensions following the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade.
Claim:
On X (formerly Twitter), a user shared the viral clip alleging that India strongly condemned the US over reported attacks on a vessel carrying Indian citizens and, in response, removed security from the US Embassy in New Delhi and revoked identity cards issued to American diplomats.
https://x.com/aadil_husssain2/status/2065184188157043053
https://ghostarchive.org/archive/A5Py5
Fact Check
A keyword search related to the alleged removal of security outside the US Embassy did not yield any recent credible reports supporting the claim. We also observed that the ABP News logo visible in the viral clip is an older version that is no longer in use, raising further doubts about its authenticity and timeline. To verify the footage, we checked ABP News’ official YouTube channel and found a report dated December 17, 2013. The report stated that Delhi Police had removed security barricades outside the US Embassy in New Delhi following diplomatic tensions between India and the United States over the arrest and treatment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York. The visuals in the 2013 report closely match multiple segments seen in the viral clip. The footage originally aired as part of ABP News’ “Fatafat” bulletin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrm_UcL1zOk&t=139s
Further search also led to a PTI-reported article published by Times of India on December 17, 2013. According to the report, barricades outside the US Embassy were removed as part of India’s response to the Khobragade incident. The report also mentioned that India had sought the return of identity cards issued to American consular officials and rolled back certain diplomatic privileges.
The image being shared alongside the claim, showing a JCB machine near the US Embassy, is also old. Getty Images carries photographs dated December 17, 2013 showing barricades being removed outside the US Embassy in New Delhi during the same diplomatic episode.
Conclusion:
The research clearly establishes that both the viral video clip and the accompanying image are not recent. These visuals are from 2013 and are linked to diplomatic developments following the Devyani Khobragade case. The claim linking them to recent events involving US Embassy security arrangements is misleading.
Introduction
In today's digital age protecting your personal information is of utmost importance. The bad actors are constantly on the lookout for ways to misuse your sensitive or personal data. The Aadhaar card is a crucial document that is utilised by all of us for various aspects. It is considered your official government-verified ID and is used for various purposes such as for verification purposes, KYC purposes, and even for financial transactions. Your Aadhaar card is used in so many ways such as flight tickets booked by travel agents, check-in in hotels, verification at educational institutions and more. The bad actors can target and lure the victims by unauthorized access to your Aadhaar data and commit cyber frauds such as identity theft, unauthorized access, and financial fraud. Hence it is significantly important to protect your personal information and Aadhaar card details and prevent the misuse of your personal information.
What is fingerprint cloning?
Cybercrooks have been exploiting the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). These scams entail cloning individuals' Aadhaar-linked biometrics through silicon fingerprints and unauthorized biometric devices, subsequently siphoning money from their bank accounts. Fingerprint cloning also known as fingerprint spoofing is a technique or a method where an individual tries to replicate someone else's fingerprint for unauthorized use. This is done for various reasons, including gaining unauthorized access to data, unlocking data or committing identity theft. The process of fingerprint cloning includes collection and creation.
The recent case of Aadhaar Card fingerprint cloning in Nawada
Nawada Cyber Police unit has arrested two perpetrators who were engaged in fingerprint cloning fraud. The criminals are accused of duping consumers of money from their bank accounts by cloning their fingerprints. Among the two perpetrators, one of them runs the Common Service Centre (CSC) whereas the second is a sweeper at the DBGB branch bank. The criminals are accused of duping consumers of money from their bank accounts by cloning their fingerprints. According to the police, an organized gang of cyber criminals had been defrauding the consumers for the last two years with the help of a CSC operator and were embezzling money from the accounts of consumers by cloning their fingerprints and taking Aadhaar numbers. The operator used to collect the Aadhaar number from the consumers by putting their thumb impression on a register. Among these two perpetrators, one was accused of withdrawing more money from the consumer's account and making less payment and sometimes not making the payment after withdrawing the money. Whereas the second perpetrator stole the data of consumers from the DBGB branch bank and prepared their fingerprint clone. During the investigation of a case related to fraud, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Cyber Police conducted raids in Govindpur and Roh police station areas on the basis of technical surveillance and available evidence and arrested them.
Safety measures for the security of your Aadhaar Card data
- Locking your biometrics: One way to save your Aadhaar card and prevent unauthorized access is by locking your biometrics. To lock & unlock your Aadhaar biometrics you can visit the official website of UIDAI or its official portal. So go to UIDAI’s and select the “Lock/Unlock Biometrics” from the Aadhar service section. Then enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number and security code and click on the OTP option. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number with Aadhaar. Once the OTP is received enter the OTP and click on the login button that will allow you to lock your biometrics. Enter the 4-digit security code mentioned on the screen and click on the “Enable” button. Your biometrics will be locked and you will have to unblock them in case you want to access them again. The official website of UIDAI is “https://uidai.gov.in/” and there is a dedicated Aadhar helpline 1947.
- Use masked Aadhaar Card: A masked Aadhaar card is a different rendition of an Aadhaar card that is designed to amplify the privacy and security of an individual Aadhaar number. In a masked Aadhaar card, the first eight digits of the twelve digits Aadhaar number are replaced by XXXX- XXXX and only the last four digits are visible. This adds an additional layer of protection to an individual Aadhaar’s number. To download a masked Aadhaar card you visit the government website of UIDAI and on the UIDAI homepage, you will see a "Download Aadhaar" option. Click on it. In the next step, you will be required to enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number along with the security code displayed on the screen. After entering your Aadhaar number, click on the Send OTP. You will receive an OTP on your registered phone number. Enter the OTP received in the provided field and click on the “Submit” button. You will be asked to select the format of your Aadhaar card, You can choose the masked Aadhaar card option. This will replace the first eight digits of your Aadhaar number with "XXXX-XXXX" on the downloaded Aadhaar card. Once the format is selected, click on the “Download Aadhaar” button and your masked Aadhaar card will be downloaded. So if any organisation requires your Aadhaar for verification you can share your masked Aadhar card which only shows the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar card number. Just the way you keep your bank details safe you should also keep your Aadhaar number secure otherwise people can misuse your identity and use it for fraud.
- Monitoring your bank account transactions: Regularly monitor your bank account statements for any suspicious activity and you can also configure transaction alerts with your bank account transactions.
Conclusion:
It is important to secure your Aadhaar card data effectively. The valuable security measure option of locking biometrics provides an additional layer of security. It safeguards your identity from potential scammers. By locking your biometrics you can secure your biometric data and other personal information preventing unauthorized access and any misuse of your Aadhaar card data. In today's evolving digital landscape protecting your personal information is of utmost importance. The cyber hygiene practices, safety and security measures must be adopted by all of us hence establishing cyber peace and harmonizing cyberspace.
References:
- https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/story-cyber-crime-csc-operator-and-bank-sweeper-arrested-in-nawada-cheating-by-cloning-finger-prints-8913667.html
- https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/cloning-fingerprints-fake-shell-entities-is-your-aadhaar-as-safe-as-you-may-think-2398596-2023-06-27
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Introduction
The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, of 2023, introduces a framework for the protection of personal data in India. Data fiduciaries are the entity that essentially determines the purpose and means of processing of personal data. The small-scale industries also fall within the ambit of the term. Startups/Small companies and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while determining the purpose of processing of personal data in the capacity of ‘data fiduciary’ are also required to comply with the DPDP Act provisions. The obligations set for the data fiduciary will apply to them unilaterally, though compliance with this Act and can be challenging due to resource constraints and limited expertise in data protection.
DPDP Act, 2023 Section 17(3) gives power to the Central Government to exempt Startups from being obligated to comply with the Act, taking into account the volume and nature of personal data processed. It is the nation's first standalone law on data protection and privacy, which sets forth strict rules on how data fiduciaries can collect and process personal data, focusing on consent-based mechanisms and personal data protection. Small-scale industries are given more time to comply with the DPDP Act. The detailed provisions to be notified in further rulemaking called ‘DPDP rules’.
Obligations on Data Fiduciary under the DPDP Act, 2023
The DPDP Act focuses on processing digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process such personal data for lawful purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Hence, small-scale industries also need to comply with provisions aimed at protecting digital personal data.
The key requirements to be considered:
- Data Processing Principles: Ensuring that data processing is done lawfully, fairly, and transparently. Further, the collection and processing of personal data is only for specific, clear, and legitimate purposes and only the data necessary for the stated purpose. Ensuring that the data is accurate and up to date is also necessary. An important part is that the data is not retained longer than necessary and appropriate security measures are taken to protect the said data.
- Consent Management: Clear and informed consent should be obtained from individuals before collecting their personal data. Further, individuals have the option to withdraw their consent easily.
- Rights of Data Principals: Data principals (individuals) whose data is being collected have the right to Information, the right to correction and erasure of data, the right to grievance redressa, Right to nominate.the right to access, correct, and delete their personal data. Data fiduciaries need to be mindful of mechanisms to handle requests from data principals regarding their concerns.
- Data Breach Notifications: Data fiduciaries are required to notify the data protection board and the affected individuals in case a data breach has occurred.
- Appropriate technical and organisational measures: A Data Fiduciary shall implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure effective observance of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.Cross-border Data Transfers: Compliance with regulations in relation to the transfer of personal data outside of India should be ensured.
Challenges for Small Scale Industries for the DPDP Act Compliance
While small-scale industries have high aims for their organisational growth and now in the digital age they also need to place reliance on online security measures and handling of personal data, with the DPDP act in the picture it becomes an obligation to consider and comply with. As small-scale industries including MSMEs, they might face certain challenges in fulfilling these obligations but digital data protection measures will also boost the competitive market and customer growth in their business. Bringing reforms in methods aimed at better data governance in today's digital era is significant.
One of the major challenges for small-scale industries could be ensuring a skilled workforce that understands and educates internal stakeholders about the DPDP Act compliances. This could undoubtedly become an additional burden.
Further, the limited resources can make the implementation of data protection, which is oftentimes complex for a layperson in the case of a small-scale industry, difficult to implement. Limitations in resources are often financial or human resources.
Cybersecurity, cyber awareness, and protection from cyber threats need some form of expertise, which is lacking in small enterprises. The outsourcing of such expertise is a decision that is sometimes taken too late, and some form of harm can take place between the periods by which an incident can occur.
Investment in the core business or enterprise many times doesn't include technology other than the basic requirements to run the business, nor towards ensuring that the data is secure and all compliances are met. However, in the fast-moving digital world, all industries need to be mindful of their efforts to protect personal data and proper data governance.
Recommendations
To ensure the proper and effective personal data handling practices as per the provisions of the act, the small companies/startups need to work backend and frontend and ensure that they take adequate measures to comply with the act. While such industries have been given more time to ensure compliance, there are some suggestions for them to be compliant with the new law.
Small companies can ensure compliance with the DPDP Act by implementing robust data protection policies, investing in and providing employee training on data privacy, using age-verification mechanisms, and adopting privacy-by-design principles. Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas where current practices fall short of DPDP Act requirements. Regular audits, secure data storage solutions, and transparent communication with users about data practices are also essential. Use cost-effective tools and technologies for data protection and management.
Conclusion
Small-scale industries must take proactive steps to align with the DPDP Act, 2023 provisions. By understanding the requirements, leveraging external expertise, and adopting best practices, small-scale industries can ensure compliance and protect personal data effectively. In the long run, complying with the new law would lead to greater trust and better business for the enterprises, resulting in a larger revenue share for them.
References
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1959161
- https://www.financialexpress.com/business/digital-transformation-dpdp-act-managing-data-protection-compliance-in-businesses-3305293/
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/big-tech-coalition-seeks-12-18-month-extension-to-comply-with-indias-dpdp-act/articleshow/104726843.cms?from=mdr
