#FactCheck -Viral Video of Electric Car Powered by Generator Is AI-Generated

Social media has become far more than a tool of communication, engagement and entertainment. It shapes politics, community identity, and even shapes agendas. When misused, the consequences can be grave: communal disharmony, riots, false rumours, harassment or worse. Emphasising the need for digital Atmanirbhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged India’s youth to develop the country’s own social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram and X, to ensure that the nation’s technological ecosystems remain secure and independent, reinforcing digital autonomy. This growing influence of platforms has sharpened the tussle between government regulation, the independence of social media companies, and the protection of freedom of expression in most countries. 

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Why Government Regulation Is Especially Needed

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While self-regulation has its advantages, ‘real-world harms’ show why state oversight cannot be optional:

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• Incitement to violence and communal unrest: Misinformation and hate speech can inflame tensions. In Manipur (May 2023), false posts,  including unverified sexual-violence claims, spread online, worsening clashes. Authorities shut down mobile internet on 3 May 2023 to curb “disinformation and false rumours,” showing how quickly harmful content can escalate and why enforceable moderation rules matter.
• Fake news and misinformation: False content about health, elections or individuals spreads far faster than corrections. During COVID-19, an “infodemic” of fake cures, conspiracy theories and religious discrimination went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook, starting with false claims that the virus came from eating bats. The WHO warned of serious knock-on effects, and a Reuters Institute study found that although such claims by public figures were fewer, they gained the highest engagement, showing why self-regulation alone often fails to stop it.

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Nepal’s Example:

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Nepal provides a clear example of the tension between government regulation and the self-regulation tussle of social media. In 2023, the government issued rules requiring all social media platforms, whether local or foreign, to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, appoint a local contact person, and comply with Nepali law. By 2025, major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube had not met the registration deadline. In response, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority began blocking unregistered platforms until they complied. While journalists, civil-rights groups and Gen Z criticised the move as potentially limiting free speech and exposing corruption against the government. The government argued it was necessary to stop harmful content and misinformation. The case shows that without enforceable obligations, self-regulation can leave platforms unaccountable, but it must also balance with protecting free speech.   

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Self-Regulation: Strengths and Challenges

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Most social-media companies prefer to self-regulate. They write community rules, trust & safety guidelines, and give users ways to flag harmful posts, and lean on a mix of staff, outside boards and AI filters to handle content that crosses the line. The big advantage here is speed: when something dangerous appears, a platform can react within minutes, far quicker than a court or lawmaker. Because they know their systems inside out, from user habits to algorithmic quirks, they can adapt fast.

But there’s a downside. These platforms thrive on engagement, hence sensational or hateful posts often keep people scrolling longer. That means the very content that makes money can also be the content that most needs moderating , a built-in conflict of interest.

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Government Regulation: Strengths and Risks

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Public rules make platforms answerable. Laws can require illegal content to be removed, force transparency and protect user rights. They can also stop serious harms such as fake news that might spark violence, and they often feel more legitimate when made through open, democratic processes.

Yet regulation can lag behind technology. Vague or heavy-handed rules may be misused to silence critics or curb free speech. Global enforcement is messy, and compliance can be costly for smaller firms.

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Practical Implications & Hybrid Governance

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For users, regulation brings clearer rights and safer spaces, but it must be carefully drafted to protect legitimate speech. For platforms, self-regulation gives flexibility but less certainty; government rules provide a level playing field but add compliance costs. For governments, regulation helps protect public safety, reduce communal disharmony, and fight misinformation, but it requires transparency and safeguards to avoid misuse.

Hybrid Approach

‍A combined model of self-regulation plus government regulation is likely to be most effective. Laws should establish baseline obligations: registration, local grievance officers, timely removal of illegal content, and transparency reporting. Platforms should retain flexibility in how they implement these obligations and innovate with tools for user safety. Independent audits, civil society oversight, and simple user appeals can help keep both governments and platforms accountable.

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Conclusion

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Social media has great power. It can bring people together, but it can also spread false stories, deepen divides and even stir violence. Acting on their own, platforms can move fast and try new ideas, but that alone rarely stops harmful content. Good government rules can fill the gap by holding companies to account and protecting people’s rights.

The best way forward is to mix both approaches, clear laws, outside checks, open reporting, easy complaint systems and support for local platforms, so the digital space stays safer and more trustworthy.

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References 

1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/need-desi-social-media-platforms-to-secure-digital-sovereignty-pm/articleshow/123327780.cms# 
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66255989
3. https://nepallawsunshine.com/social-media-registration-in-nepal/ https://www.newsonair.gov.in/nepal-bans-26-unregistered-social-media-sites-including-facebook-whatsapp-instagram/ 
4. https://hbr.org/2021/01/social-media-companies-should-self-regulate-now 
5. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/social-media-regulation-in-india 

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Executive Summary 

A video circulating on social media claims that Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an agent of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In the viral clip, Choudhary is allegedly heard accusing the Prime Minister of pushing Kashmir towards Pakistan and claiming that even pro-India Kashmiris are disillusioned with Modi’s policies.

However, research  by the CyberPeace research wing has found that the video is digitally manipulated. While the visuals are genuine and taken from a real media interaction, the audio has been fabricated and falsely overlaid to misattribute inflammatory remarks to the Deputy Chief Minister.

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Claim

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An Instagram account named Conflict Watch shared the video on January 20, claiming that J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had called Prime Minister Modi an ISI agent. The video purportedly quoted Choudhary as saying that Modi was elected with Pakistan’s support and that Kashmir would soon become part of Pakistan due to his policies.

Here is the link and archive link to the post, along with a screenshot.

• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTvdOBjjVpi/ 

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Fact Check:

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To verify the claim, the Desk conducted a Google Lens search, which led to a video uploaded on January 20, 2026, on the official YouTube channel of Jammu and Kashmir–based news outlet JKUpdate. The footage was an extended version of the viral clip and featured identical visuals. The original video showed Surinder Choudhary addressing the media on the sidelines of the inaugural two-day JKNC Convention of Block Presidents and Secretaries in the Jammu province. A review of the full media interaction revealed that Choudhary did not make any statements calling Prime Minister Modi an ISI agent or suggesting that Kashmir should join Pakistan.

Instead, in the original footage, Choudhary was seen criticising former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti for supporting the BJP during the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh into two Union Territories. He also spoke about the challenges faced by the region after the abrogation of Article 370 and demanded the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. During the interaction, Choudhary said that anyone attempting to divide Jammu and Kashmir at the state or regional level was effectively following Pakistan’s agenda and Jinnah’s two-nation theory. He added that such individuals could not be considered patriots.

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Here is the link to the video, along with a screenshot.

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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kXkzUTK9cM 

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In the next phase of the research , the Desk extracted the audio from the viral clip and analysed it using the AI-based audio detection tool Aurigin. The analysis indicated that the voice in the viral video was partially AI-generated, further confirming that the clip had been tampered with.

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Below is a screenshot of the result.

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Conclusion

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Multiple social media users shared a video claiming it showed Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi an agent of the ISI. However, the CyberPeace found that the viral video was digitally manipulated. While the visuals were taken from a genuine media interaction with the leader, a fabricated audio track was overlaid to attribute the statements to him falsely.

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Introduction

India plans to draft the first AI regulations framework. The draft will be discussed and debated in June-July this year as stated by Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar. He aims to harness AI for economic growth, healthcare, and agriculture, ensuring its significant impact. The Indian government plans to fully utilise AI for economic growth, focusing on healthcare, drug discovery, agriculture, and farmer productivity. 

Government Approach to Regulating AI 

Chandrasekhar stated that the government's approach to AI regulation involves establishing principles and a comprehensive list of harms and criminalities. They prefer clear platform standards to address bias and misuse during model training rather than regulating AI at specific stages of its development. Union Minister Chandrasekhar also highlights the importance of legal compliance and the risks faced by entrepreneurs who disregard regulations in the digital economy. He warned of "severe consequences" for non-compliance. 

Addressing the opening session of the two-day Nasscom leadership summit in Mumbai, the Union minister added that the intention is to harness AI for economic growth and address potential risks and harms. Mr. Chandrasekhar stated that the government is committed to developing AI-skilled individuals. He also highlighted the importance of a global governance framework that deals with the safety and trust of AI.

Union Minister Chandrasekhar also said that 900 million Indians online and 1.3 billion people will be connected to the global internet soon, providing India with both an opportunity and a responsibility to collaborate on regulations to establish legal safeguards that protect consumers and citizens. He further added that the framework is being retrofitted to address the complexity and impact of AI in safety infrastructure. The goal is to ensure legal guardrails for Al, a kinetic enabler of the digital economy, safety and trust, and accountability for those using the AI platform.

Prioritizing Safety and Trust in AI Development

Union minister Chandrasekhar announced that the framework will be discussed at the upcoming Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) event, a multi-stakeholder initiative with 29 member countries aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting research on AI-related priorities. Chandrasekhar emphasises the importance of safety and trust in generative AI development. He believes that every platform must be legally accountable for any harm it causes or enables and should not enable criminality. He advocated for safe and trustworthy AI.

Conclusion

India is drafting its first AI regulation framework, as highlighted by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. This framework aims to harness the potential of AI while ensuring safety, trust, and accountability. The framework will focus on principles, comprehensive standards, and legal compliance to navigate the complexities of AI's impact on sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and the digital economy. India recognises the need for robust legal safeguards to protect citizens and foster innovation and economic growth while fostering a culture of trustworthy AI development.

References:

• https://www.livemint.com/ai/artificial-intelligence/india-to-come-up-with-ai-regulations-framework-by-june-july-this-year-rajeev-chandrasekhar-msde-11708409300377.html
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-to-develop-draft-ai-framework-by-june-july-chandrasekhar/articleshow/107865548.cms
• https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Government-to-come-out-with-draft-regulatory-framework-for-Artificial-Intelligence-by-July-2024&id=477637

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