Your LG TV Says It Is Off. A New Investigation Says That Is Not Quite True
A dark screen has always meant one thing to most of us: the television is off, and whatever we say in the room is ours again. A new investigation into LG's smart TVs suggests that assumption may no longer hold, and the findings are detailed enough, and corroborated widely enough, that they deserve a careful look rather than a shrug.
What the investigation actually found
On 7 September 2026, hardware review outlet Gamers Nexus published a 135 minute video investigation, the product of more than 500 hours of testing and roughly 70,000 dollars in resources, conducted alongside hardware channel Level1Techs and independent security researchers. The team tested retail LG OLED televisions, including the current flagship G5 model, using Wireshark, a widely used network packet analysis tool that lets researchers see exactly what data a device is sending and receiving.
What they reported was substantial. Using the UPnP protocol, a standard that lets devices on a network automatically discover one another, the televisions were found actively sweeping the entire home network, mapping phones, smartwatches, laptops, and other connected hardware that had nothing to do with the television itself, including devices belonging to people who were not part of the testing. The sets also collected information about neighbouring Wi-Fi networks, their names and signal strength, data that combined with other signals can help build a fairly precise picture of where a television physically sits and who else shares its environment.
The audio findings drew the most attention, and for good reason. Researchers reported pulling clear microphone audio from a television with a dark screen, in standby mode, and repeated the test after physically disconnecting the set's Ethernet cable. According to the investigation, speech spoken near the television during that disconnected period was stored locally and then uploaded automatically the moment connectivity was restored, with researchers reporting audio pickup from roughly 60 feet away through a wall. Muting the television's primary microphone through its settings menu reportedly did not fully solve the problem either, since the team said they were able to pull a usable recording from a second, less obvious microphone that the mute control did not appear to govern. Voice input, according to the reporting, was also converted into plain text and saved in on device logs, with the microphone said to remain active for ten to fifteen seconds after speech ended.
Separately, the investigation also examined Automatic Content Recognition, commonly called ACR, a longstanding smart TV feature that samples audio or video snippets and matches them against a reference database to identify what is being watched. Gamers Nexus reported that LG's implementation continued functioning even when the television was used purely as an HDMI monitor for a laptop or game console, meaning switching inputs away from the TV's own smart platform did not switch ACR off. The team also said security researchers identified unpatched remote access vulnerabilities in LG's webOS software, and separately found code associated with residential proxy functionality, which, if accurate, could theoretically allow a device's internet connection to be quietly used to route other people's traffic.
What LG has said
LG's public position predates this specific investigation and has not changed since. Responding earlier this year to a Texas lawsuit targeting several television manufacturers over ACR practices, the company stated that LG Electronics reaffirms that LG TVs do not collect, record, or store ambient conversations, describing voice recognition as an optional, user initiated feature that only processes voice data when a user activates it for a specific request. LG has reportedly not issued a specific response addressing the Gamers Nexus findings directly, though multiple outlets note the company was approached for comment. It is worth noting LG had already settled with Texas regulators earlier this year, agreeing to stop collecting viewing data without informed consent, a separate matter concerning ACR rather than the standby microphone claims raised in this newer investigation.
The commercial context that makes this matter
None of this data collection happens in a vacuum. LG Ad Solutions, the company's advertising division, openly markets first party ACR data and cross device advertising reach to advertisers, citing access to 49 million LG smart TVs in the United States and 363 million connected devices reachable through them. That figure confirms the scale of commercial value sitting inside the largest screen in most homes, though it is worth being precise here: that statistic describes LG's advertising reach broadly, and does not by itself prove that every one of those secondary devices was specifically discovered through a television's own local network scanning, a distinction some careful reporting on this story has been right to preserve rather than collapse into a single alarming number. Multiple LG Ad Solutions executives, according to footage referenced in coverage of the investigation, have spoken candidly about tying a household's viewing habits to the other devices under the same roof, describing the underlying business model in terms that leave little ambiguity about how central this data pipeline is to the company's advertising strategy. This is not a hidden side project; it is a openly promoted revenue stream built on exactly the kind of information the Gamers Nexus investigation says a television collects well beyond what a customer would reasonably expect from a screen they believe is switched off.
Why this extends well past the living room
Smart televisions and large connected displays are not confined to homes. They sit in hospital waiting rooms and patient areas, hotel rooms, corporate boardrooms, and office common areas, environments where the conversations happening nearby, and the information displayed on screen, frequently carry a genuine expectation of confidentiality. A device capable of logging speech and identifying on screen content in a home is the same device, running the same software, in every one of those settings.
What LG owes an honest answer to
Several questions remain squarely LG's to answer, and general reassurance language will not resolve them. Which specific models and firmware versions were affected, and under what settings. What precisely activates the microphone, and for how long it stays active. What is stored locally on the device, what gets transmitted externally, and under what circumstances. Whether any of this collection continues while the display is in standby rather than actively in use. And critically, whether an ordinary user, without specialised network analysis tools, has any reliable way to independently verify that microphone access, ACR, and cross device tracking are genuinely disabled once turned off in a settings menu.
CyberPeace Advisory
What owners can do while those answers are pending
Until LG addresses the specific findings in detail, several practical steps meaningfully reduce exposure.
- Disable voice recognition and ACR through the television's settings menu, even knowing the investigation raises questions about whether every microphone path is fully governed by that toggle.
- Review all privacy and data sharing permissions the television requests, and install the latest available security updates, since some of the vulnerabilities reported concern webOS software flaws LG could patch.
- Place the television on a separate guest or IoT network segment, isolated from computers, phones, and other sensitive devices, so that even if the TV's own network behaviour cannot be fully controlled, it cannot see or map everything else in the home.
- For genuinely sensitive environments, hospitals, boardrooms, and similar settings, the more reliable option is disconnecting the television from the network entirely and routing all content through a separately secured streaming device instead.
A dark screen has never meant a device is truly powered down in any technical sense, but this investigation is a useful, concrete reminder that the gap between how a device appears and what it is actually doing can be considerably wider than most people assume. Confirming exactly how wide that gap is, model by model and setting by setting, is now squarely LG's responsibility to demonstrate, not simply assert.
References
- Notebookcheck, "LG smart TVs caught logging audio with screen off and snooping on local devices." https://www.notebookcheck.net/LG-smart-TVs-caught-logging-audio-with-screen-off-and-snooping-on-local-devices.1391214.0.html
- Cybernews, "LG smart TVs may log voice commands and scan homes." https://cybernews.com/privacy/up-to-200m-lg-smart-tvs-could-be-secretly-listening-in-on-conversations/
- All About Cookies, "LG Smart TVs Caught Listening With the Screen Off and Snooping Around Your Wi-Fi." https://allaboutcookies.org/lg-smart-tvs-snooping
- Decrypt, "Your LG TV Might Still Be Listening to You, Even When It Looks Like It's Off." https://decrypt.co/377637/lg-tv-might-be-listening-even-when-off
- Yahoo Tech, "Your LG TV Might Still Be Listening to You, Even When It Looks Like It's Off." https://tech.yahoo.com/cybersecurity/articles/lg-tv-might-still-listening-214604684.html
- TechRadar, "LG's gaming monitors and TVs are facing a user revolt." https://www.techradar.com/televisions/lgs-gaming-monitors-and-tvs-are-facing-a-user-revolt
- Quest Review Center, "LG faces renewed privacy backlash over smart TV data collection and monitor practices." https://questreviewcenter.com/smart-home-tech/lg-faces-renewed-privacy-backlash-over-smart-tv-data-collection-and-monitor-practices/
- The CyberSec Guru, "LG Smart TV Spying Exposed: 216M TVs, Full Breakdown." https://thecybersecguru.com/news/lg-smart-tv-spying-investigation/
- Ynetnews, "Your LG TV may be listening: Researchers uncover audio recording and network scanning." https://www.ynetnews.com/tech-and-digital/article/bydiqhhume
- UNILAD Tech, "Major TV brand accused of snooping on customers while devices are supposed to be off." https://www.uniladtech.com/gadgets/lg-tv-accused-snooping-customers-devices-off-021514-20260907
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Disclaimer:
This report is based on extensive research conducted by CyberPeace Research using publicly available information, and advanced analytical techniques. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions presented are based on the data available at the time of study and aim to provide insights into global ransomware trends.
The statistics mentioned in this report are specific to the scope of this research and may vary based on the scope and resources of other third-party studies. Additionally, all data referenced is based on claims made by threat actors and does not imply confirmation of the breach by CyberPeace. CyberPeace includes this detail solely to provide factual transparency and does not condone any unlawful activities. This information is shared only for research purposes and to spread awareness. CyberPeace encourages individuals and organizations to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures to protect against potential threats.
CyberPeace Research does not claim to have identified or attributed specific cyber incidents to any individual, organization, or nation-state beyond the scope of publicly observable activities and available information. All analyses and references are intended for informational and awareness purposes only, without any intention to defame, accuse, or harm any entity.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, CyberPeace Research is not liable for any errors, omissions, subsequent interpretations and any unlawful activities of the findings by third parties. The report is intended to inform and support cybersecurity efforts globally and should be used as a guide to foster proactive measures against cyber threats.
Executive Summary:
The 2024 ransomware landscape reveals alarming global trends, with 166 Threat Actor Groups leveraging 658 servers/underground resources and mirrors to execute 5,233 claims across 153 countries. Monthly fluctuations in activity indicate strategic, cyclical targeting, with peak periods aligned with vulnerabilities in specific sectors and regions. The United States was the most targeted nation, followed by Canada, the UK, Germany, and other developed countries, with the northwestern hemisphere experiencing the highest concentration of attacks. Business Services and Healthcare bore the brunt of these operations due to their high-value data, alongside targeted industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Mechanical, Metal, Electronics, and Government-related professional firms. Retail, Financial, Technology, and Energy sectors were also significantly impacted.
This research was conducted by CyberPeace Research using a systematic modus operandi, which included advanced OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) techniques, continuous monitoring of Ransomware Group activities, and data collection from 658 servers and mirrors globally. The team utilized data scraping, pattern analysis, and incident mapping to track trends and identify hotspots of ransomware activity. By integrating real-time data and geographic claims, the research provided a comprehensive view of sectoral and regional impacts, forming the basis for actionable insights.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for proactive Cybersecurity strategies, robust defenses, and global collaboration to counteract the evolving and persistent threats posed by ransomware.
Overview:
This report provides insights into ransomware activities monitored throughout 2024. Data was collected by observing 166 Threat Actor Groups using ransomware technologies across 658 servers/underground resources and mirrors, resulting in 5,233 claims worldwide. The analysis offers a detailed examination of global trends, targeted sectors, and geographical impact.
Top 10 Threat Actor Groups:
The ransomware group ‘ransomhub’ has emerged as the leading threat actor, responsible for 527 incidents worldwide. Following closely are ‘lockbit3’ with 522 incidents and ‘play’ with 351. Other Groups are ‘akira’, ‘hunters’, ‘medusa’, ‘blackbasta’, ‘qilin’, ‘bianlian’, ‘incransom’. These groups usually employ advanced tactics to target critical sectors, highlighting the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate their impact and protect organizations from such threats.
Monthly Ransomware Incidents:
In January 2024, the value began at 284, marking the lowest point on the chart. The trend rose steadily in the subsequent months, reaching its first peak at 557 in May 2024. However, after this peak, the value dropped sharply to 339 in June. A gradual recovery follows, with the value increasing to 446 by August. September sees another decline to 389, but a sharp rise occurs afterward, culminating in the year’s highest point of 645 in November. The year concludes with a slight decline, ending at 498 in December 2024 (till 28th of December).
Top 10 Targeted Countries:
- The United States consistently topped the list as the primary target probably due to its advanced economic and technological infrastructure.
- Other heavily targeted nations include Canada, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, Spain, and India.
- A total of 153 countries reported ransomware attacks, reflecting the global scale of these cyber threats
Top Affected Sectors:
- Business Services and Healthcare faced the brunt of ransomware threat due to the sensitive nature of their operations.
- Specific industries under threats:
- Pharmaceutical, Mechanical, Metal, and Electronics industries.
- Professional firms within the Government sector.
- Other sectors:
- Retail, Financial, Technology, and Energy sectors were also significant targets.
Geographical Impact:
The continuous and precise OSINT(Open Source Intelligence) work on the platform, performed as a follow-up action to data scraping, allows a complete view of the geography of cyber attacks based on their claims. The northwestern region of the world appears to be the most severely affected by Threat Actor groups. The figure below clearly illustrates the effects of this geographic representation on the map.
Ransomware Threat Trends in India:
In 2024, the research identified 98 ransomware incidents impacting various sectors in India, marking a 55% increase compared to the 63 incidents reported in 2023. This surge highlights a concerning trend, as ransomware groups continue to target India's critical sectors due to its growing digital infrastructure and economic prominence.
Top Threat Actors Group Targeted India:
Among the following threat actors ‘killsec’ is the most frequent threat. ‘lockbit3’ follows as the second most prominent threat, with significant but lower activity than killsec. Other groups, such as ‘ransomhub’, ‘darkvault’, and ‘clop’, show moderate activity levels. Entities like ‘bianlian’, ‘apt73/bashe’, and ‘raworld’ have low frequencies, indicating limited activity. Groups such as ‘aps’ and ‘akira’ have the lowest representation, indicating minimal activity. The chart highlights a clear disparity in activity levels among these threats, emphasizing the need for targeted cybersecurity strategies.
Top Impacted Sectors in India:
The pie chart illustrates the distribution of incidents across various sectors, highlighting that the industrial sector is the most frequently targeted, accounting for 75% of the total incidents. This is followed by the healthcare sector, which represents 12% of the incidents, making it the second most affected. The finance sector accounts for 10% of the incidents, reflecting a moderate level of targeting. In contrast, the government sector experiences the least impact, with only 3% of the incidents, indicating minimal targeting compared to the other sectors. This distribution underscores the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures, particularly in the industrial sector, while also addressing vulnerabilities in healthcare, finance, and government domains.
Month Wise Incident Trends in India:
The chart indicates a fluctuating trend with notable peaks in May and October, suggesting potential periods of heightened activity or incidents during these months. The data starts at 5 in January and drops to its lowest point, 2, in February. It then gradually increases to 6 in March and April, followed by a sharp rise to 14 in May. After peaking in May, the metric significantly declines to 4 in June but starts to rise again, reaching 7 in July and 8 in August. September sees a slight dip to 5 before the metric spikes dramatically to its highest value, 24, in October. Following this peak, the count decreases to 10 in November and then drops further to 7 in December.
CyberPeace Advisory:
- Implement Data Backup and Recovery Plans: Backups are your safety net. Regularly saving copies of your important data ensures you can bounce back quickly if ransomware strikes. Make sure these backups are stored securely—either offline or in a trusted cloud service—to avoid losing valuable information or facing extended downtime.
- Enhance Employee Awareness and Training: People often unintentionally open the door to ransomware. By training your team to spot phishing emails, social engineering tricks, and other scams, you empower them to be your first line of defense against attacks.
- Adopt Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Think of MFA as locking your door and adding a deadbolt. Even if attackers get hold of your password, they’ll still need that second layer of verification to break in. It’s an easy and powerful way to block unauthorized access.
- Utilize Advanced Threat Detection Tools: Smart tools can make a world of difference. AI-powered systems and behavior-based monitoring can catch ransomware activity early, giving you a chance to stop it in its tracks before it causes real damage.
- Conduct Regular Vulnerability Assessments: You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken. Regularly checking for vulnerabilities in your systems helps you identify weak spots. By addressing these issues proactively, you can stay one step ahead of attackers.
Conclusion:
The 2024 ransomware landscape reveals the critical need for proactive cybersecurity strategies. High-value sectors and technologically advanced regions remain the primary targets, emphasizing the importance of robust defenses. As we move into 2025, it is crucial to anticipate the evolution of ransomware tactics and adopt forward-looking measures to address emerging threats.
Global collaboration, continuous innovation in cybersecurity technologies, and adaptive strategies will be imperative to counteract the persistent and evolving threats posed by ransomware activities. Organizations and governments must prioritize preparedness and resilience, ensuring that lessons learned in 2024 are applied to strengthen defenses and minimize vulnerabilities in the year ahead.
Introduction
In real-time warfare scenarios of this modern age, where actions occur without delay, the relevance of edge computing emerges as paramount. By processing data close to the source in the battlefield with the help of a drone or through video imaging from any military vehicle or aircraft, the concept of edge computing allows the military to point targets faster and strike with accuracy. It also enables local processing to relay central data, helping ground troops get intelligence inputs to act rapidly in critical mission scenarios.
As the global security landscape experiences a significant transformation in different corners of the world, it presents unprecedented challenges in the present scenario. In this article, we will try to understand how countries can maintain their military capabilities with the help of advanced technologies like edge computing.
Edge Computing in Modern Warfare
Edge computing involves the processing and storage of data at the point of collection on the battlefield, for example, through vehicles and drones, instead of relying on centralized data centers. This enables faster decision-making in real-time. This approach creates a resilient and secure network by reducing reliance on potentially compromised external connections, supporting autonomous systems, precision-based targeting, and data sharing among military personnel, drones, and command centers amidst a challenging environment.
A report released by the US Department of Defence in March 2025 found a crucial reality surrounding the operation of hardware relying on outdated industrial-age processes in the digital era. In the case of applications with video, edge computing helps to deliver significant advantages to a wide range of crucial military operations, which include:
- Situational awareness with real-time data processing that provides improved battlefield visibility and proper threat detection.
- Autonomous warfare systems such as drones, which use a tactical edge cloud computing to get the capability to navigate faster.
- Developing a strong communication and networking capability to secure low-latency communication for troops to stay connected in challenging environments.
- Ensuring predictive maintenance with the help of effective sensors to carry out edge detection and attrition at an early point, thereby reducing equipment failures.
- Developing effective targeting and weapons systems to ensure faster processing to enable precision-based targeting and response, besides a strong logistics and supply chain that can provide real-time tracking to improve delivery accuracy and resource management.
This report also highlighted that the DoD is rapidly updating its software and investing in AI enablers like data sets or MLOps tools. This also stresses the breaking down of integration barriers by enforcing MOSA (Modular Open Systems Approaches), APIs (Application Programming Interface), and modular interfaces to ensure interoperability across platforms, sensors, and networks to make software-defined warfare an effective strategy.
Developing Edge with Artificial Intelligence for Future Warfare
A significant insight from the work of the US Department of Defense is its emphasis on the importance of edge computing in shaping the future of warfare. In that context, the Annual Threat Assessment Report highlights a key limitation of traditional AI strategies that rely on centralised cloud computing, since these might not be suitable for modern battlefields with congested networks and limited bandwidth. The need for real-time data processing requires a distributed and edge-based AI solution to address contemporary threats. This report also directly supports the deployment of effective edge with AI in a defined, disrupted, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth (DDIL) environment. In that case, when the communication networks fail, the edge servers at the edge of the network offer crucial advantages that cloud-dependent systems cannot. This ability to analyse data and make decisions without consistent connectivity and operate with limited computational resources is a strategic necessity.
The scenario of warfare is a phenomenon that requires maintaining a strong strategic and tactical approach, which, in the present times, is being examined through the domain of digital platforms. Modern warfare patterns demand faster decision-making and edge computing deliveries by shifting the power of distant servers to the frontlines. The US military is already moving in the direction of deploying edge-enabled systems to prove the nature of sensors and networks to compute at the tactical edge to transform warfighting.
However, it can be understood with the help of an example, as creating fusion in the skies with F-35s. As they have showcased the capability of edge computing by fusing sensor data with MADL (Multi-Functional Advanced Data Link) to create a unified picture, making the squadrons a force multiplier. An example of this was visible when an F-35 relayed real-time tracking data, enabling a navy ship to neutralise a missile beyond its range.
Conclusion: The Way Ahead
As the changing nature of warfare moves towards adopting software-defined systems, where edge computing thrives as a futuristic military technology, it calls for the need for integration across all domains of warfighting. But at the same time, several imperatives do emerge, such as:
- Developing an open architecture that enables both flexibility and innovation.
- Ensuring an effective connectivity that actually combines a confluence of legacy systems.
- Developing interoperability among the systems that can function in synergy with all platforms and can function across all domains.
- Prioritising edge-native AI development systems, where it is also necessary to ensure the shift to adopting cloud-based AI models to create solutions optimised from the ground up for edge deployment.
- Investing in edge infrastructure to establish a robust edge computing infrastructure that enables rapid deployment by testing and updating AI capabilities across diverse hardware platforms. Like the way the military training academies in India are developing training infrastructures for training officer cadets or personnel to handle drones and all forms of advanced warfare tactics emerging in this age.
- Fostering talent and expertise by embracing commercial solutions where software talent could be enabled across the enterprises with expertise in edge computing capabilities and AI. In this case, the role of the commercial sector can help to drive innovations in edge AI, and the only way to move in this direction is by leveraging these advances through partnerships and collaborative efforts.
Taking the example of the ARPANET, which once seeded the modern internet, edge computing can also help to create a transformative network effect within the digital battlespace. In conclusion, future conflicts will be defined by the speed and accuracy provided by the edge, as nations integrating AI and robust edge infrastructures can hold a strong advantage in the multi-domain battlefields in the future.
References
- https://www.idsa.in/mpidsanews/rk-narangs-article-what-the-regions-first-drone-warfare-taught-us-published-in-the-new-indian-express
- https://latentai.com/blog/software-defined-warfare-why-edge-ai-is-critical-to-americas-defense-future/
- https://www.boozallen.com/s/insight/blog/how-the-us-military-is-using-edge-computing.html
- https://capsindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RK-Narang-3.pdf
- https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2025/May/12/what-the-regions-first-drone-warfare-taught-us
- https://www.maris-tech.com/blog/edge-computing-in-the-military-challenges-and-solutions/#:~:text=In%20modern%20warfare%2C%20decisions%20need,enables%20precision%20targeting%20and%20response
- https://cassindia.com/digital-soldiers/
Introduction
After the tragic bomb blast at RedFort on November 10, 2025, there is a trail of misinformation and false narratives spread rapidly across social media platforms, messaging and news channels. It can not only unfold into a public misunderstanding but can also incite panic, communal tensions and endanger lives. To prevent all of these from happening, we, as responsible citizens, can play a critical role by verifying information before sharing it with friends, family, or colleagues. This article provides guidance on practical, evidence-based strategies to navigate the information landscape and protect yourself and your community from the harm caused by misinformation and disinformation.
Digital Scams in the Aftermath of the Blast
Cybercriminals increased their activity in the hours after the Red Fort explosion, using the country’s sorrow as a chance to take advantage of fear.
Numerous allegations surfaced of residents receiving threatening calls that falsely claimed they were “digitally arrested” or that their phones, bank accounts, or Aadhaar were being “seized for investigation”, accusing them of being involved in the explosion. These fictitious intimidation calls sent innocent people into worry, anxiety, and doubt spirals.
The pattern is common after major national crises:
- Fear rises.
- People seek urgent answers.
- Cybercriminals exploit the confusion.
Knowing this makes it easier for us to remain watchful. No law enforcement organisation uses phone conversations, WhatsApp communications, or threats of “digital detention” to make arrests or conduct investigations.
Verify breaking news from trusted official channels
Whenever a crisis like bomb blasts occurs, people look for information on social media, news channels, and YouTube channels to stay fully informed about the situation. This is a very chaotic moment, and due to the lack of government verification of the initial information, false news spread rapidly.
Where to seek verified information:
a. Press Information Bureau (PIB): The official government news agency that, from time to time, clarifies viral news.
b. Delhi Police Official Channels: Check social media handles of Delhi Police.
c. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): MHA is responsible for internal security, and gives information about this information through official press releases and notifications.
d. Major Credible news outlets: Some news channels can be trusted with news, as they typically verify information before publishing, like The Hindu, Indian Express.
What to do:
Cross-check every unverified social media post and news that you come across from credible news channels and official government press releases.
Verify Images and videos using reverse search tools
Recently, many social media handles have been sharing old photos of different bomb blasts from Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine in the name of the Red Fort blasts. While it can create a false narrative, the same should be verified before sharing.
Reliable fact-checking resources and how to use them.
Every country has dedicated fact-checking organisations that systematically verify viral claims.
Fact-checking organisations based in India:
a. PIB Fact Check (https://factcheck.pib.gov.in/ )
· It is the official fact-checking unit of the PIB, which focuses on demystifying government-related misinformation.
· email: socialmedia@pib.gov.in
· Telegram: http://t.me/PIB_FactCheck
· Follow it on: Twitter (@PIBFactCheck), Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp.
How to use these resources:
· Whenever you come across any viral post, use exact keywords or quotes to find those on these resources.
· Look for the verdict (true, false, misleading), then share the verified fact-checks with your network to debunk false narratives.
Practice Digital Hygiene and Be Cautious When Sharing
Digital hygiene refers to the practices and habits individuals adopt to maintain a healthy and secure digital lifestyle. Simple digital practices can restrict the spread of misinformation. A vigilant individual can reduce the spread of misinformation. It can be done by below steps
i. Check URLs and Links: We can verify the URLs and links of any news and websites using different tools to check the credibility of any news
ii. How to Evaluate the Trustworthiness of Sources:
· Verify if the account sharing the information has a blue checkmark on most platforms.
· Examine the account's background, whether it is a recognised media source, an official government profile, or a newly created anonymous account?
· Approach posts featuring intense emotional language ("URGENT!", "SHOCKING!", "MUST SHARE!") with scepticism.
· Refrain from posting screenshots of tweets or posts while providing a link to the source, allowing others to confirm its validity.
iii. Before You Distribute:
· Question yourself: "Am I certain this is accurate based on a reliable source?"
· Avoid the temptation to share breaking news immediately; hold off until it has been confirmed by government sources.
· If you're uncertain, include a comment such as "I haven't confirmed this yet; please consult reliable sources" instead of sharing unverified information.
· Reflect on the consequences, as it might lead to panic, provoke communal violence, or damage an individual's reputation
6. How to report misinformation to platforms and authorities?
While it is important to verify news before sharing it to prevent fake news, it is also important to report it to reduce misinformation and the violence caused due to it. On social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, WhatsApp, and Telegram, anyone can report the same on the platform.
Reporting to the Government Authorities:
a. PIB Fact Check WhatsApp (+91 8799711259):
Send Screenshots or texts of suspected government-related misinformation for verification, and then an automated acknowledgement is generated.
b. Delhi Police Cyber Crime Unit
Cyber Crimes such as Email Frauds, Social Media Crimes, Mobile App-related crimes, Business Email Compromise, Data Theft, Ransomware, Net Banking/ ATM Frauds and fake calls frauds, insurance frauds, lottery scam, bitcoin, cheating scams, online transactions frauds can be reported to the Delhi Police Cyber Crime Unit.
7. Quick checklist: What to do When You See Breaking News
· Wait before sharing any breaking news.
· Go through official channels like PIB and other official channels like MHA.
· If not available there, then cross-reference it from 2-3 credible news sources for the same information.
· Check timestamps and metadata, and compare metadata dates with claims about when events occurred.
· In case you find any information, news or any social media posts as misleading, then report the same.
CyberPeace Resolves: Pause. Reflect. Then Respond
Misinformation becomes the infection that spreads the fastest when people are confused and afraid. Every citizen is urged by CyberPeace to remain composed, stand tall, and not panic, particularly in times of national emergency.
Prior to experiencing an emotional response to any concerning call, message, or widely shared news:
Pause. Reflect. Acknowledge.
- Pause before sharing or responding.
- Reflect on whether the information is from a credible source.
- Acknowledge what you know—and what is just rumour.
CyberPeace is still dedicated to helping people and communities deal with online dangers, safeguard mental health, and dispel false information with clarity and truth.
