#FactCheck-Fake X Account Falsely Poses as India’s Ministry of External Affairs

Executive Summary 

Social media and some news media platforms are sharing a video claiming that a bridge in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, collapsed under the weight of an overloaded truck. The video shows a truck carrying a Poklane machine crossing the bridge. As the bridge comes under heavy pressure, it breaks apart and collapses. Some social media users are sharing the video as a recent incident. CyberPeace Research found that the viral claim is false. The video of an incident from 2020 is being shared to spread misinformation. The Pithoragarh administration has also refuted the viral claim.

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Claim:

On October 23, 2026, the Facebook page ‘ibc24.in’ shared a video claiming, “A bridge in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, collapsed as soon as an overloaded truck crossed it.”

https://www.facebook.com/IBC24News/posts/1147810721093030/ 

https://archive.ph/wip/oJPLN 

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Fact Check:

To verify the authenticity of the viral video, we first extracted several keyframes from it. During our research, we found the video on India TV’s website, where it was published on June 23, 2020.

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/video-bailey-bridge-collapse-india-china-border-uttarakhand-628661?fbclid=IwY2xjawVMDC9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWJyaWQRMXIzWnJrYmxtdFBtWE5JQzRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeQNZNUdAfVUAnd0u0wdKgvNdb9iJ0eg_11GGze7i1fxcZKrDmcI4jo1r_JTo_aem_81T2IfyW21S2h1FzzwVoyQ

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According to India TV’s report, a bridge in Uttarakhand collapsed while a truck carrying an excavator was crossing it. The bridge was built in 2009 and was 40 feet long. As the next step in our research, we found a report published on Amar Ujala’s website on June 22, 2020, carrying similar details about the incident.

https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/bridge-broken-on-road-which-connects-india-to-china-see-horrific-visuals

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As part of our further research, we checked the X account of Pithoragarh Police Uttarakhand (@PithoragarhPol), where we found a clarification regarding the viral video. On October 22, 2026, Pithoragarh Police refuted the claim, stating that reports circulating on social media about a Bailey bridge near Dhapa Bend in Munsiyari breaking in the middle were fake and misleading.

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Conclusion:

Our research found that the viral claim is false. A video of an incident from 2020 is being shared to spread misinformation. The Pithoragarh administration has also refuted the viral claim.

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Introduction

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Purchasing online currencies through one of the numerous sizable digital marketplaces designed specifically for this purpose is the simplest method. The quantity of cryptocurrency and money paid. These online marketplaces impose an exchange fee. After being obtained, digital cash is stored in a digital wallet and can be used in the metaverse or as real money to make purchases of goods and services in the real world. Blockchain ensures the security and decentralisation of each exchange. 

Its worth and application are comparable to those of gold: when a large number of investors choose this valuable asset, its value increases and vice versa. This also applies to cryptocurrencies, which explains why they have become so popular in recent years. The metaphysical realm is an online space where users can communicate with one another via virtual personas, among other features. Furthermore, money and commerce always come up when people communicate. 

Web3 is welcoming the metaverse, and in an environment where conventional currency isn't functional, its technologies are making it possible to use cryptocurrencies. Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) can be used to monitor intellectual rights to ownership in the metaverse, while cryptocurrencies are used to pay for content and incentivise consumers. This write-up addresses what the metaverse crypto is. It also delves into the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of crypto in this context. 

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Convergence of Metaverse and Cryptocurrency

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As the main form of digital money in the Metaverse, digital currencies can be used to do business and exchange in the digital realm. The term "metaverse" describes a simulation of reality where users can communicate in real time with other users and an environment created by computers. The acquisition and exchange of virtual products, virtual possessions, and electronic creativity within the Metaverse can all be made possible via cryptocurrency. 

Many digital currencies are based on blockchain software, which can offer an accessible and safe way to confirm payments and manage digital currencies in the Metaverse. By giving consumers vouchers or other electronic currencies in exchange for their accomplishments or contributions, cryptocurrency might encourage consumer engagement and involvement in the Metaverse.

In the Metaverse, cryptocurrency can also facilitate portable connectivity, enabling users to move commodities and their worth between various virtual settings and platforms.

The idea of fragmentation in the Metaverse, where participants have more ownership and control over their virtual worlds, is consistent with the decentralised characteristics of cryptocurrencies.

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Advantages of Metaverse Cryptocurrency

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There are countless opportunities for creativity and discovery in the metaverse. Because the blockchain is accessible to everyone, unchangeable, and password-protected, metaverse-centric cryptocurrencies offer greater safety and adaptability than cash. Crypto will be crucial to the evolution of the metaverse as it keeps growing and more individuals show interest in using it. Here are a few of the variables influencing the growth of this new virtual environment.

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Safety

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Your Bitcoin wallet is intimately linked to your personal information, progress, and metaverse possessions. Additionally, if your digital currency wallet is compromised, especially if your account credentials are weak, public, or connected to your real-world identity, cybercriminals may try to steal your money or personal data. 

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Adaptability

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Digital assets can be accessed and exchanged worldwide due to cryptocurrencies’ ability to transcend national borders. By utilising a local cryptocurrency, many metaverse platforms streamline transactions and eliminate the need for frequent currency conversions between various digital or fiat currencies. Another advantage of using autonomous contract languages is for metaverse cryptos. When consumers make transactions within the network, applications do away with the need for administrative middlemen.

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Objectivity

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By exposing interactions in a publicly accessible distributed database, the use of blockchain improves accountability. It is more difficult for dishonest people to raise the cost of digital goods and land since Bitcoin transactions are public. Metaverse cryptocurrencies are frequently employed to control project modifications. The outcomes of these legislative elections are made public using digital contracts. 

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NFT, Virtual worlds, and Digital currencies  

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Using the NFT is an additional method of using Bitcoin for metaverse transactions. These are distinct electronic documents that have significant potential value.  

A creator must convert an electronic work of art into a virtual object or virtual world if they want to display it digitally in the metaverse. Artists produce one-of-a-kind, serialised pieces that are given an NFT that may be acquired through Bitcoin payments. 

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Applications of Metaverse Cryptography

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Fiat money or independent virtual currencies like Robux are used by Web 2 metaverse initiatives to pay for goods, real estate, and services. Fiat lacked the adaptability of cryptocurrencies with automated contract capabilities, even though it may be used to pay for goods and finance the creation of projects. Users can stake these within the network virtual currencies to administer distributed metaverses, and they have all the same functions as fiat currency.

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Banking operations

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Lending digital cash to purchase metaverse land is possible. Banks that have already made inroads into the metaverse include HSBC and JPMorgan, both of which possess virtual real estate. "We are making our foray into the metaverse, allowing us to create innovative brand experiences for both new and existing customers," said Suresh Balaji, chief marketing officer for HSBC in Asia-Pacific.

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Purchasing

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An increasingly important aspect of the metaverse is online commerce. Users can interact with real-world brands, tour simulated malls, and try on virtual apparel for their characters. Adidas, for instance, debuted an NFT line in 2021 that included customizable peripherals for the Sandbox. Buyers of NFTs crossed the line separating the virtual universe and the actual world to obtain the tangible goods associated with their NFTs.

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Authority

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Metaverse initiatives are frequently governed by cryptocurrency. Decentraland, a well-known Ethereum-based metaverse featuring virtual reality components, permits users to submit and vote on suggestions provided they own specific tokens.

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Conclusion

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The combination of the virtual world and cryptocurrencies creates novel opportunities for trade, innovation, and communication. The benefits of using the blockchain system are increased objectivity, safety, and flexibility. By facilitating exclusive ownership of digital assets, NFTs enhance metaverse immersion even more. In the metaverse, cryptocurrencies are used in banking, shopping, and government, forming a user-driven, autonomous digital world. The combination of cryptocurrencies and the metaverse will revolutionise how we interact with online activities, creating a dynamic environment that presents both opportunities and difficulties.

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References

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• https://www.telefonica.com/en/communication-room/blog/metaverse-and-cryptocurrencies-what-is-their-relationship/
• https://hedera.com/learning/metaverse/metaverse-crypto
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unleashing-power-connection-between-cryptocurrency-ai-amit-chandra/

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Introduction 

The pervasive issue of misinformation in India is a multifaceted challenge with profound implications for democratic processes, public awareness, and social harmony. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken measures to counter misinformation during the 2024 elections. ECI has launched campaigns to educate people and urge them to verify election-related content and share responsibly on social media. In response to the proliferation of fake news and misinformation online, the ECI has introduced initiatives such as ‘Myth vs. Reality’ and  'VerifyBeforeYouAmplify' to clear the air around fake news being spread on social media. EC measures aim to ensure that the spread of misinformation is curbed, especially during election time, when voters consume a lot of information from social media. It is of the utmost importance that voters take in facts and reliable information and avoid any manipulative or fake information that can negatively impact the election process. 

EC Collaboration with Tech Platforms

In this new age of technology, the Internet and social media continue to witness a surge in the spread of misinformation, disinformation, synthetic media content, and deepfake videos. This has rightly raised serious concerns. The responsible use of social media is instrumental in maintaining the accuracy of information and curbing misinformation incidents. 

The ECI has collaborated with Google to empower the citizenry by making it easy to find critical voting information on Google Search and YouTube. In this way, Google supports the 2024 Indian General Election by providing high-quality information to voters, safeguarding platforms from abuse, and helping people navigate AI-generated content. The company connects voters to helpful information through product features that show data from trusted organisations across its portfolio. YouTube showcases election information panels, including how to register to vote, how to vote, and candidate information. YouTube's recommendation system prominently features content from authority sources on the homepage, in search results, and in the "Up Next" panel. YouTube highlights high-quality content from authoritative news sources during key moments through its Top News and Breaking News shelves, as well as the news watch page. 

Google has also implemented strict policies and restrictions regarding who can run election-related advertising campaigns on its platforms. They require all advertisers who wish to run election ads to undergo an identity verification process, provide a pre-certificate issued by the ECI or anyone authorised by the ECI for each election ad they want to run where necessary, and have in-ad disclosures that clearly show who paid for the ad. Additionally, they have long-standing ad policies that prohibit ads from promoting demonstrably false claims that could undermine trust or participation in elections.

CyberPeace Countering Misinformation

CyberPeace Foundation, a leading organisation in the field of cybersecurity works to promote digital peace for all. CyberPeace is working on the wider ecosystem to counter misinformation and develop a safer and more responsible Internet. CyberPeace has collaborated with Google.org to run a pan-India awareness-building program and comprehensive multilingual digital resource hub with content available in up to 15 Indian languages to empower over 40 million netizens in building resilience against misinformation and practising responsible online behaviour. This step is crucial in creating a strong foundation for a trustworthy  Internet and secure digital landscape.  

Myth vs Reality Register by ECI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the 'Myth vs Reality Register' to combat misinformation and ensure the integrity of the electoral process during the general elections 2024. The 'Myth vs Reality Register' can be accessed through the Election Commission's official website (https://mythvsreality.eci.gov.in/). All stakeholders are urged to verify and corroborate any dubious information they receive through any channel with the information provided in the register. The register provides a one-stop platform for credible and authenticated election-related information, with the factual matrix regularly updated to include the latest busted fakes and fresh FAQs. The ECI has identified misinformation as one of the challenges, along with money, muscle, and Model Code of Conduct violations, for electoral integrity. The platform can be used to verify information, prevent the spread of misinformation, debunk myths, and stay informed about key issues during the General Elections 2024.

The ECI has taken proactive steps to combat the challenge of misinformation which could cripple the democratic process. EC has issued directives urging vigilance and responsibility from all stakeholders, including political parties, to verify information before amplifying it. The EC has also urged responsible behaviour on social media platforms and discourse that inspires unity rather than division. The commission has stated that originators of false information will face severe consequences, and nodal officers across states will remove unlawful content. Parties are encouraged to engage in issue-based campaigning and refrain from disseminating unverified or misleading advertisements.

Conclusion

The steps taken by the ECI have been designed to empower citizens and help them affirm the accuracy and authenticity of content before amplifying it. All citizens must be well-educated about the entire election process in India. This includes information on how the electoral rolls are made, how candidates are monitored, a complete database of candidates and candidate backgrounds, party manifestos, etc. For informed decision-making, active reading and seeking information from authentic sources is imperative. The partnership between government agencies, tech platforms and civil societies helps develop strategies to counter the widespread misinformation and promote online safety in general, and electoral integrity in particular. 

References 

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2017375

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2016941#:~:text=To%20combat%20the%20spread%20of,the%20ongoing%20General%20Elections%202024
• https://www.business-standard.com/elections/lok-sabha-election/ls-elections-2024-ec-uses-social-media-to-nudge-electors-to-vote-124040700429_1.html
• https://blog.google/intl/en-in/company-news/outreach-initiatives/supporting-the-2024-indian-general-election/
• https://blog.google/intl/en-in/partnering-indias-success-in-a-new-digital-paradigm/

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