Disinformation poses serious short-term threat to India

Source: The post Disinformation poses serious short-term threat to India has been created, based on the article “Tackling the disinformation threat in India” published in “The Hindu” on 2 April 2025. Disinformation poses serious short-term threat to India.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Security

Context: The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 identifies disinformation as the top short-term global threat. Rapidly growing AI-generated content, algorithmic bias, and deepening social divides make it difficult to separate truth from falsehood. The article focuses on India’s vulnerability, given its large online population and complex sociopolitical landscape, and suggests measures to address the issue.

For detailed information on Controlling Fake News in India and associated challenges read this article here

Reasons for Considering Disinformation as the Biggest Global Risk in the Short Term

1. Global Impact: Disinformation now affects politics, economies, and international relations, making it the leading short-term risk according to the WEF.
2. Technological Acceleration: The rise of AI-generated content and algorithm-driven feeds increases the spread and believability of false information.
3. Social Divisions: It exploits existing social and political divides, helping misinformation travel faster on social networks.
4. Political Manipulation: In India, political disinformation is the most common type, making up 46% of all misinformation. It influences voters and distorts public opinion.
5. Economic Disruption: Misinformation leads to consumer boycotts, economic tensions, and can harm global trade and diplomatic ties.

Why India is Especially Vulnerable

1. India is set to cross 900 million internet users, widening the reach of false information. Its cultural, linguistic, and political diversity creates fertile ground for narrative manipulation.
2. Falling trust in mainstream media pushes citizens towards social media, where misinformation is unchecked. People often trust unverified information if it comes from friends or family.
3. According to a study by the Indian School of Business and CyberPeace Foundation:

• 46% of disinformation is political
• 33.6% is about general issues
• 16.8% is religious

4. Indian politicians and parties have shared deepfakes and unverified content.
5. Since the 2017 Doklam standoff, China has targeted India with disinformation, prompting bans on over 300 Chinese apps including TikTok. Chinese platforms like Weibo are used to spread distorted narratives about India.
6. If companies like Meta end fact-checking partnerships, disinformation could worsen, as seen in the U.S.

Actions Taken or Recommended

1. India launched Shakti – India Election Fact-Checking Collective and the Deepfake Analysis Unit during the 2024 elections.
2. The ban on Chinese apps reduced external interference.
3. The RBI’s Financial Literacy Campaign, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, aims to raise awareness and build critical thinking.
4. The same study confirms 46% of disinformation is political, showing the targeted nature of these campaigns.

Way Forward

1. Increase funding for cybersecurity research.
2. Ensure transparent content policies and disclosure of online ad funding.
3. Expand public awareness, using trusted campaigns like RBI’s initiative.
4. Enact strong laws to protect journalists and support independent research.
5. Work with other countries to develop cross-border coalitions to fight disinformation and protect democratic values and social harmony.

Question for practice:

Examine why disinformation is considered the biggest short-term global risk and how India is particularly vulnerable to it.