Background :
- The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2025 highlights misinformation and disinformation as the top short-term global risks.
- India, with 900 million Internet users, is particularly vulnerable due to its diverse political, social, and economic landscape.
- Algorithmic biases, deepfake technology, and social media manipulation have escalated the spread of false narratives.
- China’s disinformation campaigns (e.g., post-2017 Doklam standoff) and internal political disinformation (e.g., deepfake usage in elections) have worsened the crisis.
- EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) is seen as a model for tackling Disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).
Relevance : GS 2 (Governance) , GS 3 (Internal Security & Technology)
Disinformation Crisis in India
- Political Manipulation:
- 46% of disinformation in India is politically motivated (Indian School of Business & CyberPeace Foundation study).
- Mainstream political parties actively share unverified and misleading content.
- Elections increasingly influenced by deepfakes and algorithmic propaganda.
- Decline in Trust in Legacy Media:
- Traditional media credibility is eroding, pushing people toward social media as a news source.
- Unverified forwards on WhatsApp and Facebook amplify false narratives.
- Misinformation-fueled consumer boycotts and economic disruptions impact businesses.
- Foreign Disinformation Threats:
- Chinese influence through Weibo and other platforms shapes a distorted global perception of India.
- Meta’s potential discontinuation of fact-checking partnerships could further escalate misinformation.
- Over 300 Chinese apps (including TikTok) banned to curb foreign interference.
- Demographic Vulnerability:
- India’s youth population (largest in the world) is highly susceptible to digital misinformation.
- Survey reports show low digital literacy and critical thinking skills in verifying online content.
Recommended Countermeasures
- Technological & Algorithmic Solutions:
- Upskilling developers working on AI and algorithmic transparency.
- Regular risk assessments for digital platforms to detect and mitigate disinformation threats.
- Supervisory boards & AI councils to oversee generative AI practices.
- Regulatory & Legal Frameworks:
- Adopt EU-style regulatory measures for Very Large Online Platforms (>45M users).
- Mandatory funding disclosures for online political ads to prevent targeted misinformation.
- Stronger laws to protect journalists from harassment due to misinformation exposure.
- Fact-Checking & Public Awareness Initiatives:
- Shakti – India Election Fact-Checking Collective and Deepfake Analysis Unit should be expanded.
- RBI’s Financial Literacy Campaign model can be adapted for digital literacy awareness.
- Collaboration between civil society, fact-checkers, and regulators for evidence-based policies.
- Global & Cross-Border Collaboration:
- India should lead a global coalition against disinformation in international digital policy discussions.
- Coordinated research efforts on FIMI with other democracies.
- Balancing Regulation & Free Speech:
- Address risks of over-surveillance and censorship, which are also flagged as global threats in WEF’s report.
- Ensure transparent content moderation policies to prevent misuse of regulations for political control.
Conclusion
- Disinformation is not just a technological problem but a challenge to democracy, social unity, and national security.
- India, as the world’s largest democracy, must set an example by implementing a balanced and effective disinformation policy.
- The real challenge lies in safeguarding democracy, free speech, and social harmony while tackling false narratives.
