#FactCheck: Viral Video of Chandra Arya Speaking Kannada Unrelated to Canadian PM Nomination

Introduction

In a setback to the Centre, the Bombay High Court on Friday 20th September 2024, struck down the provisions under IT Amendment Rules 2023, which empowered the Central Government to establish Fact Check Units (FCUs) to identify ‘fake and misleading’ information about its business on social media platforms. 

Chronological Overview

• On 6th April 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Amendment Rules, 2023). These rules introduced new provisions to establish a fact-checking unit with respect to “any business of the central government”. This amendment was done In exercise of the powers conferred by section 87 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. (IT Act).
• On 20 March 2024, the Central Government notified the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as FCU under rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2023 (IT Amendment Rules 2023). 
• The next day on  21st March 2024, the Supreme Court stayed the Centre's decision on notifying PIB -FCU, considering the pendency of the proceedings before the High Court of Judicature at Bombay. A detailed analysis covered by CyberPeace on the Supreme Court Stay decision can be accessed here.
• In the latest development, the Bombay High Court on 20th September 2024, struck down the provisions under IT Amendment Rules 2023, which empowered the Central Government to establish Fact Check Units (FCUs) to identify ‘fake and misleading’ information about its business on social media platforms.  

Brief Overview of Bombay High Court decision dated 20th September 2024

Justice AS Chandurkar was appointed as the third judge after a split verdict in January 2023 by a division bench consisting of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhal.  As a Tie-breaker judge' Justice AS Chandurkar delivered the decision striking down provisions for setting up a Fact Check Unit under IT amendment 2023 rules. Striking down the Centre's proposed fact check unit provision, Justice A S Chandurkar of Bombay High Court also opined that there was no rationale to undertake an exercise in determining whether information related to the business of the Central govt was fake or false or misleading when in digital form but not doing the same when such information was in print. It was also contended that there is no justification to introduce an FCU only in relation to the business of the Central Government. Rule 3(1)(b)(v) has a serious chilling effect on the exercise of the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution since the communication of the view of the FCU will result in the intermediary simply pulling down the content for fear of consequences or losing the safe harbour provision given under IT Act.  

Justice Chandurkar held that the expressions ‘fake, false or misleading’ are ‘vague and overbroad’, and that the ‘test of proportionality’ is not satisfied. Rule 3(1)(b)(v), was violative of Articles 14 and 19 (1) (a) and 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution and it is “ultra vires”, or beyond the powers, of the IT Act.

Role of Expert Organisations in Curbing Mis/Disinformation and Fake News

In light of the recent developments, and the rising incidents of Mis/Disinformation and Fake News it becomes significantly important that we all stand together in the fight against these challenges. The actions against Mis/Disinformation and fake news should be strengthened by collective efforts, the expert organisations like CyberPeace Foundation plays an key role in enabling and encouraging netizens to exercise caution and rely on authenticated sources, rather than solely rely on govt FCU to block the content. 

Mis/Disinformation and Fake News should be stopped, identified and countered by netizens at the very first stage of its spread. In light of the Bombay High Court's decision to stuck down the provision related to setting up the FCU by the Central Government, it entails that the government's intention to address misinformation related solely to its business/operations may not have been effectively communicated in the eyes of the judiciary.

It is high time to exercise collective efforts against Mis/Disinformation and Fake News and support expert organizations who are actively engaged in conducting proactive measures, and campaigns to target these challenges, specifically in the online information landscape. CyberPeace actively publishes fact-checking reports and insights on Prebunking and Debunking, conducts expert sessions and takes various key steps aimed at empowering netizens to build cognitive defences to recognise the susceptible information, disregard misleading claims and prevent further spreads to ensure the true online information landscape.

References:

• https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2024/09/20/bombay-high-court-it-rules-amendment-2023-fact-check-units-article14-article19-legal-news/#:~:text=Bombay%20High%20Court%3A%20A%20case,grounds%20that%20it%20violated%20constitutional
• https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-strikes-down-it-act-amendment-fact-check-unit-9579044/
• https://www.cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/supreme-court-stay-on-centres-notification-of-pibs-fact-check-unit-under-it-amendment-rules-2023

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India’s cities are rapidly embracing digital technologies, transforming the way essential urban services operate. From traffic management and water supply to online grievance redressal, connected systems are making city life more efficient. As the Prime Minister has emphasised, smart cities are not just a fancy  concept; they aim to ensure basic services, including housing and infrastructure for the urban poor, are delivered comprehensively and equitably.

But improved cybersecurity has become essential with th increasing reliance on digital systems in daily life. A single breach in digital public systems could jeopardise citizen data and interrupt vital services. In light of this, MoHUA organised the National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure in collaboration with MHA and MeitY. This is in spirit with the goal of Digital India, which is to create a safer online environment for all.  More than 300 representatives from Central Ministries, National Cybersecurity Agencies, State Governments, State IT and Urban Development Secretaries, Additional Director Generals, Municipal Commissioners, CEOs of Smart Cities, and representatives from organisations like CERT-In, NCIIPC, I4C, and STQC attended the conference.

Key Initiatives Presented

MoHUA showcased a series of city-level cybersecurity initiatives designed to create a common framework for all smart cities. These include:

• Mandatory appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) at city level which maintain and oversee the security of digital infrastructure in smart cites 
• Completion of regular cybersecurity audits to identify and address vulnerabilities in there seem 
• Consistent Risk Management Across Services: A structured approach to risk management will be used so that critical areas like traffic systems, utilities and public services all follow the same high standards of protection.

CISOs and Cybersecurity Frameworks

At the conference,  the Union Home Secretary underscored a clear message: every city needs its own Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) backed by a capable technical team. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. A dedicated CISO brings focus to meeting national security norms, coordinating quick responses to cyber incidents, and lifting the overall level of cyber hygiene in the city.

Naming a single officer also creates accountability and gradually builds local expertise instead of constant dependence on outside consultants. Over time, this leadership position can help cities develop their own in-house capacity to manage the increasingly complex digital systems that keep public services running.

The SPV Dimension: Beyond Implementation

An important theme of the conference was the future of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)(SPVs means government-backed companies set up under the Companies Act, 2013 with joint shareholding between State/UT administrations and Urban Local Bodies to implement the Smart Cities Mission) which have been the implementing arms of the Smart Cities Mission. Drawing from Advisory No. 27 (June 2025), stakeholders discussed repositioning SPVs as dynamic, innovation-driven bodies capable of supporting long-term urban development beyond the initial project phase.

Key points included:

• Expanding SPVs’ role in consultancy, investment facilitation, technology integration, and policy research.
• Ensuring SPVs act as hubs of expertise and innovation, rather than just project managers.
• Aligning SPV functions with the evolving cybersecurity and technology needs of urban local bodies.

This expanded mandate could allow SPVs to become sustainable institutions that continuously support cities in managing digital risks and adopting new technologies responsibly.

Building a Culture of Cyber Preparedness

One clear takeaway from the conference was that cybersecurity can’t just be added on later — it needs to be part of every step in the digital planning process, from purchasing technology and designing systems to daily operations. Experts from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) pointed out that as more government services go online, the potential risks grow, and cities must always be ready to respond. They  highlighted emerging cyber risks linked to the rapid digitisation of governance. 

Some of the practical steps highlighted included regular security audits, penetration testing, staff training, and campaigns to raise awareness among citizens. Equally important to have CISO which lead cybersecurity and  creating strong communication channels between city teams, state agencies, and national cybersecurity bodies, so that information is shared promptly and responses can be coordinated effectively

Conclusion

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive on strengthening cybersecurity in smart cities represents a major milestone in safeguarding India’s urban digital infrastructure and shows the government's proactive step in cybersecurity . By mandating the appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), enforcing regular audits, and promoting structured risk management, the MHA has set clear expectations for city administration. The conference also highlighted the evolving role of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in supporting long-term technological resilience. Embedding cybersecurity at every stage of planning, from system design to daily operations, signals a shift toward a culture of proactive defence. As highlighted by the Intelligence Bureau, emerging cyber risks linked to the rapid digitisation of governance make robust cybersecurity measures the need of the hour for India’s smart cities.

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2146180 
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2135474 
3. https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/pm-narendra-modi-launches-smart-city-projects/articleshow/52916581.cms 
4. https://the420.in/mha-orders-stronger-cybersecurity-in-smart-cities/ 
5. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Sep/20/tighten-cyber-security-measures-in-smart-cities-mha-to-housing-ministry 

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Introduction

In the age of social media, the news can spread like wildfire. A recent viral claim contained that police have started a nationwide scheme of free travel service for women at night. It stated that any woman who is alone and cannot find a vehicle to go home between 10 PM and 06 AM can contact the provided numbers and request a free vehicle. The viral message further contained the request to share and forward this information to everyone to get the women to know about the free vehicle service offered by police at night. However, upon fact check the claim was found to be misleading.

Social Impact of Misleading Information

The fact that such misleading information gets viral at a fast speed is because of its ability to impact and influence people through emotional resonance. Especially during a time when women's safety is a topic discussed in media sensationalism due to recently highlighted rape or sexual violence incidents, such fake viral claims often spark widespread public concern, causing emotional resonance to people and they unknowingly share or forward such messages in the spike of emotional and sensational appeal contained in such messages. The emotional nature of these viral texts often overrides scepticism, leading to immediate sharing without verification. 

Such nature of viral messages often tends to bring people to protest, raise awareness and create support networks, but in spite of emotional resonance people get targeted by misinformation and become the unintended superspreaders of fake news fueled by emotional and social media-driven reactions. Women’s safety in society is a sensitive topic and when people discover such viral claims to be misleading and fake, it often hurts the sentiments of society leading to significant social impacts, including distrust in social media, unnecessary panic and confusion.

CyberPeace Policy Vertical Advisory for Social Media Users

1. Think before Sharing: All netizens must practice caution while sharing anything and double-check its authenticity before sharing/forwarding or reposting it on your social media stories.
2. Don't be unintended superspreaders of Misinformation: Misinformation with emotional resonance and widespread sharing by netizens can lead to them becoming "superspreaders of misinformation" and making it viral quickly. Hence you must avoid such unintended consequences by following the best practices of being vigilant and informed by reliable sources. 
3. Exercise vigilance and scepticism: It is important that netizens exercise vigilance and they build cognitive abilities to recognise the red flags of misleading information. You can do so by following the official communication channels, looking for any discrepancy in the content of susceptible information and double-checking its authenticity before sharing it with anyone. 
4. Verify the information from official sources: Follow the official communication channels of concerned authorities for any kind of information, circulars, notifications etc. In case of finding any piece of information to be susceptible or misleading, intimate it to the relevant authority and the fact-checking organizations. 
5. Stay in touch with expert organizations: Cybersecurity experts and civil society organisations possess the unique blend of large-scale impact potential and technical expertise. Netizens can stay updated about recent developments in the tech-policy sphere and learn about internet best practices, and measures to counter misinformation through methods such as prebunking, debunking and more. 

Connect with CyberPeace

As an expert organisation, we have the ability to educate and empower huge numbers, along with the skills and policy acumen needed to be able to not just make people aware of the problem but also teach them how to solve it for themselves. At CyberPeace we regularly produce fact-check reports, blogs & advisories, and insights on prebunking & debunking measures and capacity-building programs with the aim of empowering netizens at the heart of our initiatives. CyberPeace has established the largest network of CyberPeace Corps volunteers globally. These volunteers play a crucial role in assisting victims, raising awareness, and promoting proactive measures. 

References: 

1. indiatvnews.com/fact-check/fact-check-are-police-providing-free-travel-services-to-women-at-night-know-truth-of-viral-claim-2024-08-28-949280#:~:text=What%20came%20out%20in%20fact,be%20cautious%20of%20these%20claims

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