Truth-Keepers in a Digital Democracy.

“In the age of digital revolution, India faces a complex transformation in information dissemination, with social media and digital platforms overtaking traditional newspapers amid high production costs and declining readership. Anchored in the constitutional right to information under Article 19, the government has introduced landmark policies like the 2023 Digital Advertisement Policy and the IT Rules 2021 to integrate digital media while ensuring accountability and transparency. However, the rise of AI-generated misinformation and fake news presents a grave challenge to democratic trust and information integrity. Global frameworks from Germany, the EU, and Singapore offer varied models of regulation, highlighting the need for India to carefully balance freedom of expression with curbing falsehoods. States such as Karnataka and Kerala have pioneered digital advertising guidelines and self-regulatory grievance mechanisms as valuable models. The path forward requires establishing an independent Digital Media Regulatory Authority, tiered platform responsibilities, expanded fact-checking in regional languages, enhanced digital literacy, AI-supported content moderation, and robust financial support for credible digital outlets. Crucially, these mechanisms must embed due process and safeguards against political misuse to preserve democratic freedoms while combating misinformation effectively. India’s proactive response will be vital to safeguard the right to accurate information and uphold democracy in the digital era.”

A staggering 16 billion passwords have reportedly been compromised in a significant data breach, with experts cautioning that no service is secure.

A staggering cybersecurity crisis has emerged with the exposure of over 16 billion passwords online—marking one of the largest data breaches ever recorded. Security experts warn that this leak, far from being an outdated collection, consists of fresh, well-organized credentials harvested by infostealer malware. The stolen data spans major platforms such as Google, Facebook, Telegram, GitHub, and even select government portals, presenting a blueprint for global cybercrime. Authorities urge users to immediately change passwords, adopt passkeys, and remain vigilant against phishing and identity theft.

Google and Airtel collaborate to provide postpaid and Wi-Fi users with a Google One subscription.

Bharti Airtel has partnered with Google One to offer 100GB of free cloud storage for six months to its postpaid mobile and broadband users. This initiative aims to tackle growing storage constraints by providing secure and seamless access across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail. Users can redeem the offer via the Airtel Thanks app, with the option to share storage with up to five people. After six months, a nominal fee of ₹125/month applies. The collaboration ensures enhanced data backup, particularly for WhatsApp chat storage on Android devices.