The Fight Against Cybercrime and Misuse of Technology: Strategic Engagement by UNICRI
The evolution of technology has presented both profound benefits and considerable challenges. It has benefited us with global interconnectivity, optimisation of the workforce, faster and solution-oriented approach, but at the same time increases risks of cybercrimes and the misuse of technology via online theft, fraud, and abuse. As the reliance on technology increases, it makes the users vulnerable to cyberattacks.
One way to address this nuisance is to set global standards and initiate measures for cooperation by integrating the efforts of international institutions such as UN bodies and others. The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, which combats cybercrime and promotes the responsible use of technology, is making waves in these issues.
Understanding the Scope of the Problem
Crowdstrike had estimated the cybersecurity market at $207.77 billion in 2024 and expected it to reach $376.55 billion by 2029 and continue growing at a CAGR of 12.63% during the forecast period. In October of 2024, Forbes predicted that the cost of cyber attacks on the global economy would be over $10.5 trillion.
The developments in technology have provided cybercriminals with more sophisticated means to commit cybercrimes. These include cybercrimes like data breaches, which are increasingly common, such as phishing attacks, ransomware, social engineering, and IoT attacks. Their impact is evident across various domains, including economic and social spheres. The victims of cybercrimes can often suffer from stress, anxiety, fear of being victimised again, a lack of trust and social polarisation/stigmatisation.
UNICRI’s Strategic Approach
UNICRI actively combats cybercrimes and technology misuse, focusing on cybersecurity, organized crime in cyberspace, and terrorists' internet use. Since 2020, it has monitored social media misuse, analysed tools to debunk misinformation and balanced security with human rights.
The key focus areas of UNICRI’s strategic approach include cybersecurity in robotics, critical infrastructure, and SCADA systems, digital forensics, child online protection and addressing online profiling and discrimination. It further supports LEAs (judges, prosecutors, and investigators) by providing them with specialised training. Its strategies to counter cybercrime and tech misuse include capacity-building exercises for law enforcement, developing international legal frameworks, and fostering public-private collaborations.
Key Initiatives under UNICRI Strategic Programme Framework of 2023-2026
The key initiatives under UNICRI set out the strategic priority areas that will guide its work. It includes:
- Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism: By addressing the drivers of radicalisation, gender-based discrimination, and leveraging sports for prevention.
- Combat Organised Crime: Via tackling illicit financial flows, counterfeiting, and supply chain crimes while promoting asset recovery.
- Promotion of Emerging Technology Governance: Encouraging responsible AI use, mitigating cybercrime risks, and fostering digital inclusivity.
- Rule of Law and Justice Access: Enhancing justice systems for women and vulnerable populations while advancing criminal law education.
- CBRN Risk Mitigation: Leveraging expert networks and whole-of-society strategies to address chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks.
The Challenges and Opportunities: CyberPeace Takeaways
The challenges that affect the regulation of cybercrimes are most often caused due to jurisdictional barriers, the lack of resources, and the rapid pace of technological change. This is due to the cross-border nature of cybercrimes and as many nations lack the expertise or infrastructure to address sophisticated cyber threats. The regulatory or legislative frameworks often get outpaced by technology developments, including quantum computing, deepfakes, or blockchain misuse. Due to this, these crimes are often unpunished.
The opportunities that have been developing for innovation in cybercrime prevention, include AI and machine learning tools to detect cybercrimes, enhanced international cooperation that can strengthen the collective defence mechanisms, like multi-stakeholder approaches. Capacity Building initiatives for continuous training and education help LEAs and judicial systems adapt to emerging threats, is a continuous effort that requires participation from all sectors, be it public or private.
Conclusion
Due to cybercrimes and the threats they induce on individuals, communities, and global security, the proactive approach by UNICRI of combining international cooperation, capacity-building and innovative strategies is pivotal in combating these challenges. By addressing the challenges of organised crime in cyberspace, child online protection, and emerging technology governance, UNICRI exemplifies the power of strategic engagement. While jurisdictional barriers and resource limitations persist, the opportunities in AI, global collaboration, and education offer a path forward. With the evolution of technology, our defences must also be dynamic and ever evolving, and UNICRI’s efforts are essential to building a safer, more inclusive digital future for all.
References
- https://unicri.it/special_topics/securing_cyberspace
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2023/10/11/the-10-biggest-cyber-security-trends-in-2024-everyone-must-be-ready-for-now/
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Introduction
In the age of digital technology, the concept of net neutrality has become more crucial for preserving the equity and openness of the internet. Thanks to net neutrality, all internet traffic is treated equally, without difference or preferential treatment. Thanks to this concept, users can freely access and distribute content, which promotes innovation, competition, and the democratisation of knowledge. India has seen controversy over net neutrality, which has led to a legal battle to protect an open internet. In this blog post, we’ll look at the challenges of the law and the efforts made to safeguard net neutrality in India.
Background on Net Neutrality in India
Net neutrality became a hot topic in India after a major telecom service provider suggested charging various fees for accessing different parts of the internet. Internet users, activists, and organisations in favour of an open internet raised concern over this. Millions of comments were made on the consultation document by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) published in 2015, highlighting the significance of net neutrality for the country’s internet users.
Legal Battle and Regulatory Interventions
The battle for net neutrality in India acquired notoriety when TRAI released the “Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations” in 2016. These laws, often known as the “Free Basics” prohibition, were created to put an end to the usage of zero-rating platforms, which exempt specific websites or services from data expenses. The regulations ensured that all data on the internet would be handled uniformly, regardless of where it originated.
But the legal conflict didn’t end there. The telecom industry challenged TRAI’s regulations, resulting in a flurry of legal conflicts in numerous courts around the country. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act and its provisions of it that control TRAI’s ability to regulate internet services were at the heart of the legal dispute.
The Indian judicial system greatly helped the protection of net neutrality. The importance of non-discriminatory internet access was highlighted in 2018 when the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) upheld the TRAI regulations and ruled in favour of net neutrality. The TDSAT ruling created a crucial precedent for net neutrality in India. In 2019, after several rounds of litigation, the Supreme Court of India backed the principles of net neutrality, declaring that it is a fundamental idea that must be protected. The nation’s legislative framework for preserving a free and open internet was bolstered by the ruling by the top court.
Ongoing Challenges and the Way Forward
Even though India has made great strides towards upholding net neutrality, challenges persist. Because of the rapid advancement of technology and the emergence of new services and platforms, net neutrality must always be safeguarded. Some practices, such as “zero-rating” schemes and service-specific data plans, continue to raise questions about potential violations of net neutrality principles. Regulatory efforts must be proactive and under constant watch to allay these worries. The regulatory organisation, TRAI, is responsible for monitoring for and responding to breaches of the net neutrality principles. It’s crucial to strike a balance between promoting innovation and competition and maintaining a free and open internet.
Additionally, public awareness and education on the issue are crucial for the continuation of net neutrality. By informing users of their rights and promoting involvement in the conversation, a more inclusive and democratic decision-making process is assured. Civil society organisations and advocacy groups may successfully educate the public about net neutrality and gain their support.
Conclusion
The legal battle for net neutrality in India has been a significant turning point in the campaign to preserve an open and neutral internet. A robust framework for net neutrality in the country has been established thanks to legislative initiatives and judicial decisions. However, due to ongoing challenges and the dynamic nature of technology, maintaining net neutrality calls for vigilant oversight and strong actions. An open and impartial internet is crucial for fostering innovation, increasing free speech, and providing equal access to information. India’s attempts to uphold net neutrality should motivate other nations dealing with similar issues. All parties, including politicians, must work together to protect the principles of net neutrality and ensure that the Internet is accessible to everyone.
Introduction
The spread of information in the quickly changing digital age presents both advantages and difficulties. The phrases "misinformation" and "disinformation" are commonly used in conversations concerning information inaccuracy. It's important to counter such prevalent threats, especially in light of how they affect countries like India. It becomes essential to investigate the practical ramifications of misinformation/disinformation and other prevalent digital threats. Like many other nations, India has had to deal with the fallout from fraudulent internet actions in 2023, which has highlighted the critical necessity for strong cybersecurity safeguards.
The Emergence of AI Chatbots; OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard
The launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in November 2022 was a major turning point in the AI space, inspiring the creation of rival chatbot ‘Google's Bard’ (Launched in 2023). These chatbots represent a significant breakthrough in artificial intelligence (AI) as they produce replies by combining information gathered from huge databases, driven by Large Language Models (LLMs). In the same way, AI picture generators that make use of diffusion models and existing datasets have attracted a lot of interest in 2023.
Deepfake Proliferation in 2023
Deepfake technology's proliferation in 2023 contributed to misinformation/disinformation in India, affecting politicians, corporate leaders, and celebrities. Some of these fakes were used for political purposes while others were for creating pornographic and entertainment content. Social turmoil, political instability, and financial ramifications were among the outcomes. The lack of tech measures about the same added difficulties in detection & prevention, causing widespread synthetic content.
Challenges of Synthetic Media
Problems of synthetic media, especially AI-powered or synthetic Audio video content proliferated widely during 2023 in India. These included issues with political manipulation, identity theft, disinformation, legal and ethical issues, security risks, difficulties with identification, and issues with media integrity. It covered an array of consequences, ranging from financial deception and the dissemination of false information to swaying elections and intensifying intercultural conflicts.
Biometric Fraud Surge in 2023
Biometric fraud in India, especially through the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS), has become a major threat in 2023. Due to the AePS's weaknesses being exploited by cybercriminals, many depositors have had their hard-earned assets stolen by fraudulent activity. This demonstrates the real effects of biometric fraud on those who have had their Aadhaar-linked data manipulated and unauthorized access granted. The use of biometric data in financial systems raises more questions about the security and integrity of the nation's digital payment systems in addition to endangering individual financial stability.
Government strategies to counter digital threats
- The Indian Union Government has sent a warning to the country's largest social media platforms, highlighting the importance of exercising caution when spotting and responding to deepfake and false material. The advice directs intermediaries to delete reported information within 36 hours, disable access in compliance with IT Rules 2021, and act quickly against content that violates laws and regulations. The government's dedication to ensuring the safety of digital citizens was underscored by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who also stressed the gravity of deepfake crimes, which disproportionately impact women.
- The government has recently come up with an advisory to social media intermediaries to identify misinformation and deepfakes and to make sure of the compliance of Information Technology (IT) Rules 2021. It is the legal obligation of online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation and exercise due diligence or reasonable efforts to identify misinformation and deepfakes.
- The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2021 were amended in 2023. The online gaming industry is required to abide by a set of rules. These include not hosting harmful or unverified online games, not promoting games without approval from the SRB, labelling real-money games with a verification mark, educating users about deposit and winning policies, setting up a quick and effective grievance redressal process, requesting user information, and forbidding the offering of credit or financing for real-money gaming. These steps are intended to guarantee ethical and open behaviour throughout the online gaming industry.
- With an emphasis on Personal Data Protection, the government enacted the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. It is a brand-new framework for digital personal data protection which aims to protect the individual's digital personal data.
- The " Cyber Swachhta Kendra " (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) is a part of the Government of India's Digital India initiative under the (MeitY) to create a secure cyberspace. It uses malware research and botnet identification to tackle cybersecurity. It works with antivirus software providers and internet service providers to establish a safer digital environment.
Strategies by Social Media Platforms
Various social media platforms like YouTube, and Meta have reformed their policies on misinformation and disinformation. This shows their comprehensive strategy for combating deepfake, misinformation/disinformation content on the network. The platform YouTube prioritizes eliminating content that transgresses its regulations, decreasing the amount of questionable information that is recommended, endorsing reliable news sources, and assisting reputable authors. YouTube uses unambiguous facts and expert consensus to thwart misrepresentation. In order to quickly delete information that violates policies, a mix of content reviewers and machine learning is used throughout the enforcement process. Policies are designed in partnership with external experts and producers. In order to improve the overall quality of information that users have access to, the platform also gives users the ability to flag material, places a strong emphasis on media literacy, and gives precedence to giving context.
Meta’s policies address different misinformation categories, aiming for a balance between expression, safety, and authenticity. Content directly contributing to imminent harm or political interference is removed, with partnerships with experts for assessment. To counter misinformation, the efforts include fact-checking partnerships, directing users to authoritative sources, and promoting media literacy.
Promoting ‘Tech for Good’
By 2024, the vision for "Tech for Good" will have expanded to include programs that enable people to understand the ever-complex digital world and promote a more secure and reliable online community. The emphasis is on using technology to strengthen cybersecurity defenses and combat dishonest practices. This entails encouraging digital literacy and providing users with the knowledge and skills to recognize and stop false information, online dangers, and cybercrimes. Furthermore, the focus is on promoting and exposing effective strategies for preventing cybercrime through cooperation between citizens, government agencies, and technology businesses. The intention is to employ technology's good aspects to build a digital environment that values security, honesty, and moral behaviour while also promoting innovation and connectedness.
Conclusion
In the evolving digital landscape, difficulties are presented by false information powered by artificial intelligence and the misuse of advanced technology by bad actors. Notably, there are ongoing collaborative efforts and progress in creating a secure digital environment. Governments, social media corporations, civil societies and tech companies have shown a united commitment to tackling the intricacies of the digital world in 2024 through their own projects. It is evident that everyone has a shared obligation to establish a safe online environment with the adoption of ethical norms, protective laws, and cybersecurity measures. The "Tech for Good" goal for 2024, which emphasizes digital literacy, collaboration, and the ethical use of technology, seems promising. The cooperative efforts of people, governments, civil societies and tech firms will play a crucial role as we continue to improve our policies, practices, and technical solutions.
References:
- https://news.abplive.com/fact-check/deepfakes-ai-driven-misinformation-year-2023-brought-new-era-of-digital-deception-abpp-1651243
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1975445
Executive Summary:
A viral online video claims Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promotes an investment project. However, the CyberPeace Research Team has confirmed that the video is a deepfake, created using AI technology to manipulate Trudeau's facial expressions and voice. The original footage has no connection to any investment project. The claim that Justin Trudeau endorses this project is false and misleading.
Claims:
A viral video falsely claims that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is endorsing an investment project.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the viral posts, we conducted a Google Lens search on the keyframes of the video. The search led us to various legitimate sources featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, none of which included promotion of any investment projects. The viral video exhibited signs of digital manipulation, prompting a deeper investigation.
We used AI detection tools, such as TrueMedia, to analyze the video. The analysis confirmed with 99.8% confidence that the video was a deepfake. The tools identified "substantial evidence of manipulation," particularly in the facial movements and voice, which were found to be artificially generated.
Additionally, an extensive review of official statements and interviews with Prime Minister Trudeau revealed no mention of any such investment project. No credible reports were found linking Trudeau to this promotion, further confirming the video’s inauthenticity.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming that Justin Trudeau promotes an investment project is a deepfake. The research using various tools such as Google Lens, AI detection tool confirms that the video is manipulated using AI technology. Additionally, there is no information in any official sources. Thus, the CyberPeace Research Team confirms that the video was manipulated using AI technology, making the claim false and misleading.
- Claim: Justin Trudeau promotes an investment project viral on social media.
- Claimed on: Facebook
- Fact Check: False & Misleading
