#FactCheck: Video of Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri Falsely Shared as Anti-Reservation Protest at Jantar Mantar

Introduction

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In the fast-paced digital age, misinformation spreads faster than actual news. This was seen recently when inaccurate information on social media was spread, stating that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had taken down e-voter rolls for some states from its website overnight. The rumour confused the public and caused political debate in states like Maharashtra, MP, Bihar, UP and Haryana, resulting in public confusion. But the ECI quickly called the viral information "fake news" and made sure that voters could still get access to the electoral rolls of all States and Union Territories, available at voters.eci.gov.in. The incident shows how electoral information could be harmed by the impact of misinformation and how important it is to verify the authenticity. 

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The Incident and Allegations

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On August 7, 2025, social media posts on platforms like X and WhatsApp claimed that the Election Commission of India had removed e-voter lists from its website. The posts appeared after public allegations about irregularities in certain constituencies. However, the claims about the removal of voter lists were unverified.

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The Election Commission’s Response

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In a formal tweet posted on X, it stated categorically:

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“This is a fake news. Anyone can download the Electoral Roll for any of 36 States/UTs through this link: https://voters.eci.gov.in/download-eroll.”

The Commission clarified that no deletion has been done at all and that all the voters' rolls are intact and accessible to the public. Keeping with the spirit of transparency, the ECI reaffirmed its overall practice of public access to electoral information by clarifying that the system is intact and accessible for inspection.

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Importance of Timely Clarifications

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By countering factually incorrect information the moment it was spread on a large scale, the ECI stopped possible harm to public trust. Election officials rely upon being trusted, and any speculation concerning their honesty can prove harmful to democracy. Such prompt action stops false information from becoming a standard in public discourse.

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Misinformation in the Electoral Space

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• How False Narratives Gain Traction
  Election misinformation increases in significant political environments. Social media, confirmation bias, and increased emotional states during elections enable rumour spread. On this occasion, the unfounded report struck a chord with widespread political distrust, and hence, people easily believed and shared it without checking if it was true or not.

• Risks to Democratic Integrity
  When misinformation impacts election procedures, the consequences can be profound:

1. Erosion of Trust: People can lose faith in the neutrality of election administrators quite easily.
2. Polarization: Untrue assertions tend to reinforce political divides, rendering constructive communication more difficult.

• The Role of Media Literacy
  Combating such mis-disinformation requires more than official statements. Media skills training courses can equip individuals with the ability to recognise warning signs in suspect messages. Even basic actions like checking official sources prior to sharing can move far in keeping untruths from being spread.

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Strategies to Counter Electoral Misinformation

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Multi-Stakeholder Action

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Effective counteracting of electoral disinformation requires coordination among election officials, fact-checkers, media, and platforms.  Actions that are suggested include:

1. Rapid Response Protocols: Institutions should maintain dedicated monitoring teams for quick rebuttals.
2. Confirmed Channels of Communication: Providing official sites and pages for actual electoral news.
3. Proactive Transparency: Regular publication of electoral process updates can anticipate rumours.
4. Platform Accountability: Social media sites must label or limit the visibility of information found to be false by credentialed fact-checkers.

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Conclusion

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The recent allegations of e-voter rolls deletion underscore the susceptibility of contemporary democracies to mis-disinformation. Even though the circumstances were brought back into order by the ECI's swift and unambiguous denunciation, the incident itself serves to emphasise the necessity of preventive steps to maintain election faith. Even though fact-checking alone might not work in an environment where the information space is growing more polarised and algorithmic, the long-term solution to such complications is to grow an ironclad democratic culture where everyone, every organisation, and platforms value the truth over clickbait. The lesson is clear: in the age of instant news, accurate communication is vital for maintaining democratic integrity, not extravagances.

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References

• https://www.newsonair.gov.in/election-commission-dismisses-fake-news-on-removal-of-e-voter-rolls/
• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/eci-dismisses-claims-of-removing-e-voter-rolls-from-its-website-calls-it-fake-news/articleshow/123190662.cms
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vote-theft-claim-of-congress-factually-incorrect-election-commission/article69921742.ece
• https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-crisis-of-trust-on-the-election-commission-of-india/article69893682.ece

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Introduction

Summer vacations have always been one of the most anticipated times in a child’s life. In earlier times, it was something entirely different. The season was filled with outdoor games, muddy hands, mango-stained mouths, and stories shared with cousins under the stars. Children lived in the moment, playing in parks, riding bicycles, and inventing new adventures without a screen in sight. Today, those same summer days are shaped by glowing devices, virtual games, and hours spent online. While technology brings learning and entertainment, it also invites risks that parents cannot ignore. The Cyber Mom Toolkit is here to help you navigate this shift, offering simple and thoughtful ways to keep your children safe, balanced, and joyful during these screen filled holidays.
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The Hidden Cyber Risks of Summer Break

With increased leisure time and less supervision, children are likely to venture into unknown reaches of the internet. I4C reports indicate that child-related cases, such as cyberbullying, sextortion, and viewing offensive content, surge during school vacations. Gaming applications, social networking applications, and YouTube can serve as entry points for cyber predators and spammers. That's why it is important that parents, particularly mothers know what digital spaces their children live in and how to intervene appropriately.

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Your Action Plan for Being a Cyber Smart Mom

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Moms Need to Get Digitally Engaged 

You do not need to be a tech expert to become a cyber smart mom. With just a few simple digital skills, you can start protecting your child online with confidence and ease.

1. Know the Platforms Your Children Use

Spend some time investigating apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, YouTube, or computer games like Roblox and Minecraft. Familiarise yourself with the type of content, chat options, and privacy loopholes they may have.

2. Install Parental Controls

Make use of native features on devices (Android, iOS, Windows) to limit screen time, block mature content, and track downloads. Applications such as Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time enable parents to control apps and web browsing. 

3. Develop a Family Cyber Agreement

• Establish common rules such as:
• No devices in bedrooms past 9 p.m.
• Add only safe connections on social media.
• Don't open suspicious messages or click on mysterious links.
• Always tell your mom if something makes you feel uncomfortable online.

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‍Talk Openly and Often

Kids tend to hide things online because they don't want to get punished or embarrassed. Trust is built better than monitoring. Here's how:

• Have non-judgmental chats about what they do online.
• Use news reports or real-life cases as conversation starters: "Did you hear about that YouTuber's hacked account?
• Encourage them to question things if they're confused or frightened.
• Honour their online life as a legitimate aspect of their lives.

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Look for the Signs of Online Trouble

Stay alert to subtle changes in your child’s behavior, as they can be early signs of trouble in their online world.

• Sudden secrecy or aggression when questioned about online activity.
• Overuse of screens, particularly in the evening.
• Deterioration in school work or interest in leisure activities.
• Mood swings, anxiety, or withdrawn behaviour.

If you notice these, speak to your child calmly. You can also report serious matters such as cyberbullying or blackmail on the Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or visit https://cybercrime.gov.in

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Support Healthy Digital Behaviours

Teach your kids to be good netizens by leading them to:

• Reflect Before Posting: No address, school name, or family information should ever appear in public posts.
• Set Strong Passwords: Passwords must be long, complicated, and not disclosed to friends, even best friends.
• Enable Privacy Settings: Keep social media accounts privately. Disable location sharing. Restrict comments and messages from others.
• Vigilance: Encourage them to spot fake news, scams, and manipulative ads. Critical thinking is the ultimate defence.

Stay alert to subtle changes in your child’s behavior, as they can be early signs of trouble in their online world.

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Where to Learn More and Get Support as a Cyber Mom

Cyber moms looking to deepen their understanding of online safety can explore a range of helpful resources offered by CyberPeace. Our blog features easy-to-understand articles on current cyber threats, safety tips, and parenting guidance for the digital age. You can also follow our social media pages for regular updates, quick tips, and awareness campaigns designed especially for families. If you ever feel concerned or need help, the CyberPeace Helpline is available to offer support and guidance. (+91 9570000066 or write to us at helpline@cyberpeace.net). For those who want to get more involved, joining the CyberPeace Corps allows you to become part of a larger community working to promote digital safety and cyber awareness across the country.

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Empowering Mothers Empowers Society

We at CyberPeace feel that every mother, irrespective of her background and technological expertise, has the potential to be a Cyber Mom. The intention is not to control the child but to mentor towards safer decisions, identify issues early, and prepare them for a lifetime of online responsibility. Mothers are empowered when they know. And children are safe when they are protected.

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Conclusion

The web isn't disappearing, and neither are its dangers. But when mothers are digital role models, they can make summer screen time a season of wise decisions. This summer, become a Cyber Mom: someone who learns, leads, and listens. Whether it's installing a parental control app, discussing openly about cyberbullying, or just asking your child, "What did you discover online today? " that engagement can make a difference. This summer break, help your child become digitally equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the online world safely and confidently.

Cyber safety starts at home, and there's no better point of departure than being alongside your child, rather than behind them.

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References

• https://cybercrime.gov.in
• https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT208982
• https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com
• https://www.cyberpeace.org
• https://ncpcr.gov.in

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Introduction

According to a shocking report, there are multiple scam loan apps on the App Store in India that charge excessive interest rates and force users to pay by blackmailing and harassing them. Apple has prohibited and removed these apps from the App Store, but they may still be installed on your iPhone and running. You must delete any of these apps if you have downloaded them. Learn the names of these apps and how they operated the fraud.

Why Apple banned these apps?

• Apple has taken action to remove certain apps from the Indian App Store. These apps were engaging in unethical behaviour, such as impersonating financial institutions, demanding high fees, and threatening borrowers. Here are the titles of these apps, as well as what Apple has said about their suspension.
• Following user concerns, Apple removed six loan apps from the Indian App Store. Loan apps include White Kash, Pocket Kash, Golden Kash, Ok Rupee, and others.
• According to multiple user reviews, certain apps seek unjustified access to users’ contact lists and media. These apps also charge exorbitant fees that are not necessitated. Furthermore, companies have been found to engage in unethical tactics such as charging high-interest rates and “processing fees” equal to half the loan amount.
• Some lending app users have reported being harassed and threatened for failing to return their loans on time. In some circumstances, the apps threatened the user’s contacts if payment was not completed by the deadline. According to one user, the app company threatened to produce and send false photographs of her to her contacts.
• These loan apps were removed from the App Store, according to Apple, because they broke the norms and standards of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. These apps were discovered to be falsely claiming financial institution connections.

Issue of Fake loan apps on the App Store

• The App Store and our App Review Guidelines are designed to ensure we provide our users with the safest experience possible,” Apple explained. “We do not tolerate fraudulent activity on the App Store and have strict rules against apps and developers who attempt to game the system.
• In 2022, Apple blocked nearly $2 billion in fraudulent App Store sales. Furthermore, it rejected nearly 1.7 million software submissions that did not match Apple’s quality and safety criteria and cancelled 428,000 developer accounts due to suspected fraudulent activities.
• The scammers also used heinous tactics to force the loanees to pay. According to reports, the scammers behind the apps gained access to the user’s contact list as well as their images. They would morph the images and then scare the individual by sharing their fake nude photos with their whole contact list.

Dangerous financial fraud apps have surfaced on the App Store

• TechCrunch acquired a user review from one of these apps. “I borrowed an amount in a helpless situation, and a day before the repayment due date, I got some messages with my picture and my contacts in my phone saying that repay your loan or they will inform our contacts that you are not paying the loan,” it said.
• Sandhya Ramesh, a journalist from The Print, recently tweeted a screenshot of a direct message she got. A victim’s friend told a similar story in the message.
• TechCrunch contacted Apple, who confirmed that the apps had been removed from the App Store for breaking the Apple Developer Program License Agreement and guidelines.

Conclusion

Recently, some users have claimed that some quick-loan applications, such as White Kash, Pocket Kash, and Golden Kash, have appeared on the Top Finance applications chart in recent days. These apps necessitate unauthorised and intrusive access to users’ contact lists and media. According to hundreds of user evaluations, these apps charged exorbitantly high and useless fees. They used unscrupulous techniques such as demanding “processing fees” equal to half the loan amount and charging high-interest rates. Users were also harassed and threatened with restitution. If payments were not made by the due date, the lending applications threatened to notify users’ contacts. According to one user, the app provider even threatened to generate phoney nude images of her and send them to her contacts.