Dehradun, January 5, 2024
The Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), Dehradun Chapter, organized a round table conference on Sunday on the theme “Cyber Crime and Misinformation: Challenges and Solutions.” The event began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The conference aimed to raise awareness about the growing threats of cybercrime and misinformation and explore solutions to these challenges.
Key Highlights:
- Think Before You Share:
Dr. Nitin Upadhyay, Joint Director of the Information Department, emphasized the importance of verifying any information before sharing or forwarding it on social media. He highlighted the need for responsibility in avoiding the spread of false or misleading information. Dr. Upadhyay introduced the AAA plan for tackling misinformation: Awareness, Advocacy, and Action. This includes spreading awareness, advocating for appropriate policies and regulations, and providing accurate information to combat misinformation. - Cybercrime Helpline:
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime Station) Ankush Mishra informed the audience about India’s National Cyber Crime Helpline, toll-free number 1930, available 24×7 for reporting online cybercrimes and financial frauds. - Awareness and Media’s Role:
Mishra stated that awareness is the key to preventing cybercrime, and media plays a critical role in educating the public. He elaborated on various types of cybercrimes, including:- Deep fakes using AI to create fake videos and audio.
- Pension fraud through fake calls and messages.
- SIM upgrade scams, phishing, investment frauds, biometric data theft, and fake QR code scams.
- KYC frauds, fake mobile apps, AI-based voice cloning, and courier scams.
He also shared tips to protect oneself, such as locking biometric information via the Aadhaar website, avoiding unknown links, and verifying helpline numbers through official websites.
- Technological Vigilance:
Eshan Bhushan, Assistant Manager (Corporate Communication) at THDC, highlighted the need for vigilance due to the widespread use of smartphones. He discussed tools for analyzing big data and verifying the sources of information. - Future Initiatives:
Ravi Bijaraniya, President of PRSI Dehradun Chapter, emphasized the importance of public awareness and announced plans to organize similar programs on other topics in the future.
Participants:
The event saw participation from Vice President Dr. Amarnath Tripathi, Secretary Anil Sati, Treasurer Suresh Chandra Bhatt, and members Vaibhav Goyal, Sanjay Singh, Shivangi Singh, Ajay Dabral, Sanjay Bhargava, and Anil Dutt Sharma, among others. The program was moderated by Anil Verma.
