#Factcheck-False Claims of Houthi Attack on Israel’s Ashkelon Power Plant

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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Executive Summary:

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Our team has come across a recent social media post highlighting a report on fraudulent activities involving deceptive websites and emails impersonating India’s Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). These phishing scams falsely promise LPG distributorships and retail outlet dealerships, aiming to extract money and personal information from unsuspecting individuals. We strongly urge the public to exercise caution and verify all information exclusively through official OMC channels to avoid falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.

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Claim:

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It has been reported that fraudsters are impersonating Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum through fake websites and emails, promising LPG distributorships and seeking money from victims.

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Fact Check:

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After our research, we came upon more information about this topic and found out that the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has released an official notice confirming that fraudulent websites and emails are impersonating India's Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), which include Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. The scams falsely promise LPG distributorships and retail outlet dealerships while demanding large sums of money from unsuspecting individuals. On June 19, 2019, this was confirmed. The PIB highlighted that OMCs have not allowed any person or organization to charge a fee for dealership selection. All authentic information on these offers is available at the websites of the OMCs: www.iocl.com, www.bharatpetroleum.com, and www.hindustanpetroleum.com. The general public is cautioned to rely only on these sources and report suspicious approaches to the offices of concerned OMCs. If someone finds such an approach, he should immediately contact the cybercrime branch. HPCL has issued alerts on fake websites and emails that promise LPG distributorships and jobs, mimicking official HPCL sites to deceive people.

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On the official website of HPCL list down the malicious URLs. They are mentioned below:

• https://kskdealerchayan.com/
• bajajgas.com/index
• hindustanbiofuel.in
• petrolpumpchayanonline.com
• dealerchayanpetrolpump.in
• petrolpumpdealarchayan.com
• petrolpumpsdealerchayan.co.in
• petrolpumpdealershipchayan.org.in
• petrolpumpdealerchayangov.in
• petrolpumpdealership.info
• petrolpumpsdealershipchayan.in
• allindiagasdealership.com
• hindustanpetroleum.online
• hindustanpetroleumcorp.com
• hpcldelership.com
• ujjwalalpgvitarak.org
• ujjwaladealership.com
• lpgvitrakkendra.com
• kissansevakendra.org
• lpgvitarakchayanltd.org
• petrolpumpdelerchayan.in
• petrolpumpdealerschayan.in
• petrolepumpsdelearchayan.in
• kissansevakendra.org
• petrolpumpdealerchayanpro.com
• petrolpumchayanweb.com
• onlinepetrolpumpdealerchayan.com/

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HPCL also shared an advisory for their applicants regarding Beware Of Fraudsters.

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Conclusion:

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It has been proven that fraud offers for LPG distributorships and retail outlet dealerships are being made through fake websites and emails. To avoid such scams, people are advised to be more vigilant, verify all information through official OMC platforms, and immediately report any suspicious activities to the concerned authorities. Being alert and informed is the key to preventing financial loss and protecting personal data from exploitation.

• Claim: Is this HPCL approval letter for an LPG agency dealership legit?
• Claimed On: Social Media 
• Fact Check: False and Misleading

Introduction

Smartphones have revolutionised human connectivity. In 2023, it was estimated that almost 96% of the global digital population is accessing the internet via their mobile phones and India alone has 1.05 billion users. Information consumption has grown exponentially due to the enhanced accessibility that these mobiles provide. These devices allow accessibility to information no matter where one is, and have completely transformed how we engage with the world around us, be it to skim through work emails while commuting, video streaming during breaks, reading an ebook at our convenience or even catching up on news at any time or place. Mobile phones  grant us instant access to the web and are always within reach. 

But this instant connection has its downsides too, and one of the most worrying of these is the rampant rise of misinformation. These tiny screens and our constant, on-the-go dependence on them can be directly linked to the spread of “fake news,” as people consume more and more content in rapid bursts, without taking the time to really process the same or think deeply about its authenticity. There is an underlying cultural shift in how we approach information and learning currently: the onslaught of vast amounts of “bite-sized information” discourages people from researching what they’re being told or shown. The focus has shifted from learning deeply to consuming more and sharing faster. And this change in audience behaviour is making us vulnerable to misinformation, disinformation and unchecked foreign influence.

The Growth of Mobile Internet Access 

More than 5 billion people are connected to the internet and web traffic is increasing rapidly. The developed countries in North America and Europe are experiencing mobile internet penetration at a universal rate.  Contrastingly, the developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America are experiencing rapid growth in this penetration. The introduction of affordable smartphones and low-cost mobile data plans has expanded access to internet connectivity. 4G and 5G infrastructure development have further bridged any connectivity gaps. This widespread access to the mobile internet has democratised information, allowing millions of users to participate in the digital economy.  Access to educational resources while at the same time engaging in global conversations is one such example of the democratisation of information. This reduces the digital divide between diverse groups and empowers communities with unprecedented access to knowledge and opportunities.

The Nature of Misinformation in the Mobile Era 

Misinformation spread has become more prominent in recent times and one of the contributing factors is the rise of mobile internet. This instantaneous connection has made social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter) available on a single compact and portable device. These social media platforms enable users to share content instantly and to a wide user base, many times without verifying its accuracy. The virality of social media sharing, where posts can reach thousands of users in seconds, accelerates the spread of false information. This ease of sharing, combined with algorithms that prioritise engagement, creates a fertile ground for misinformation to flourish, misleading vast numbers of people before corrections or factual information can be disseminated. 

Some of the factors that are amplifying misinformation sharing through mobile internet are algorithmic amplification which prioritises engagement, the ease of sharing content due to instant access and user-generated content, the limited media literacy of users and the echo chambers which reinforce existing biases and spread false information. 

Gaps and Challenges due to the increased accessibility of  Mobile Internet 

Despite growing concerns about misinformation spread due to mobile internet, policy responses remain inadequate, particularly in developing countries. These gaps include: the lack of algorithm regulation, as social media platforms prioritise engaging content, often fueling misinformation. Inadequate international cooperation further complicates enforcement, as addressing the cross-border nature of misinformation has been a struggle for national regulations. 

Additionally, balancing content moderation with free speech remains challenging, with efforts to curb misinformation sometimes leading to concerns over censorship. 

Finally, a deficit in media literacy leaves many vulnerable to false information. Governments and international organisations must prioritise public education to equip users with the required skills to evaluate online content, especially in low-literacy regions.

CyberPeace Recommendations

Addressing misinformation via mobile internet requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach. 

• Governments should mandate algorithm transparency, ensuring social media platforms disclose how content is prioritised and give users more control. 
• Collaborative fact-checking initiatives between governments, platforms, and civil society could help flag or correct false information before it spreads, especially during crises like elections or public health emergencies. 
• International organisations should lead efforts to create standardised global regulations to hold platforms accountable across borders. 
• Additionally, large-scale digital literacy campaigns are crucial, teaching the public how to assess online content and avoid misinformation traps.

Conclusion

Mobile internet access has transformed information consumption and bridged the digital divide. At the same time, it has also accelerated the spread of misinformation. The global reach and instant nature of mobile platforms, combined with algorithmic amplification, have created significant challenges in controlling the flow of false information. Addressing this issue requires a collective effort from governments, tech companies, and civil society to implement transparent algorithms, promote fact-checking, and establish international regulatory standards. Digital literacy should be enhanced to empower users to assess online content and counter any risks that it poses.  

References

• https://www.statista.com/statistics/1289755/internet-access-by-device-worldwide/ 
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2019/05/01/are-smartphones-making-fake-news-and-disinformation-worse/
• https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/03/07/7-key-findings-about-mobile-phone-and-social-media-use-in-emerging-economies/ft_19-02-28_globalmobilekeytakeaways_misinformation/ 
• https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/slow-scroll-users-less-vigilant-about-misinformation-mobile-phones 

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