Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Security
ty Threats in Indian Cyberspace
by Social Media and Cyberhoaxes
Dr. Ashok Koujalagi, Thrupti N S, Karuna Kurbet
Asst. Professor & Postdoctoral Researcher
P.G Department of Computer Science
Science, Basaveshwar Science College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT
This study examines the proliferation of hoaxes and The proliferation of hoaxes has been made possible
hate speech through websites and social media in through the widespread adoption of Facebook,
India.. Such provocative content utilizes sectarian Twitter, WhatsApp, Line, Google+, and other new
issues to attack its creators' political opponents. This media platforms, which have made the rapid
study finds that hate has been politicized and hoaxes dissemination of information possible through their
have been commodified, both for economic and high degrees of interactivity and interconnectivity.
political interests, in Indian cyberspace. There has Hoaxes have spread uncontrolled through cyberspace,
been a transformation from freedom of speech to and some have had serious social implications. In
freedom to hate, particularly on social media response to hoaxes, people have been killed and
networks. This proliferation of hoaxes, as a means of national stability and security has been threatened.
furthering
thering specific political interests, may potentially Most hoaxes have involved fake news about sensitive
threaten national security and stability. To overcome tribal, religious, and racial issues as well as hate
the threat posed by cyberhoaxes, the state, industry, speech directed towards those in power.
and society must take an active role in protecting
The cyberhoax phenomenon has become crucial in an
cyberspace.
Indian context, and as such requires serious attention,
particularly given that half of Indians are active
Keywords: Cyberhoax; Cyber Security;
urity; Freedom to
internet users
Hate; Politics of Threat
II. CYBERHOAXES IN INDIA
I. INTRODUCTION In India, the emergence of new media has invigorated
Hoaxes and fake news have become increasingly civil society and empowerment movements,
common in India, particularly on the internet and particularly following the fall of the New Order
social media. This was not the first time that hoaxes regime. Cyberspace has seemed to promise citizens
spread in India. For example, during the 2014 Indian the freedom of expression and active participation in
Prime ministerial election deliberately disseminated political processes. At the same time, general
provocative fake news and emphasized sectarian elections, a common manifestation of the
issues to attack political opponents. Similar cases democratization process, have been faced with intense
have occurred in the United States, Germany, China, public distrust. Few citizens trust political parties or
France, and Malaysia, where accurate news has been the commitment and performance of politicians.
mixed with gossip and hate speech before being There has been considerable public disappointment in
rapidly spread through social media. and resistance to political processes. In cyberspace,
people have greater opportunity to voice criticism and
resist those in power, something not possible under
@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 4 | May-Jun 2018 Page: 599
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
the consumption of information (and distraction), Google to pay large fines if they fail to remove fake
contributes importantly to this symbolization process. news, hate speech, and hoaxes may serve to limit their
This can be seen, for example, in the use of clickbait, spread on social media.
in which symbols (images) in cyberspace serve are
CONCLUSION
provided as "keys" to exploring issues and problems.
Through clickbait, overly simplified logics are The creation and dissemination of cyberhoaxes in
brought into the digital ecosystem. The India is a deliberate practice intended to promote
(over)simplification of narratives is common in new certain motives and interests. It is perpetrated by
media, and consequently very few media users seek actors who seek to spread deceit and hate in the digital
detailed information or seriously investigate the ecosystem. The proliferation of hoaxes in cyberspace
events and processes reported. Spaces for discussion indicates a shift from freedom of speech (facilitated
and reflection disappear as access is accelerated. by new media platforms) into freedom to hate, which
Events and processes are framed as nothing but is used to attack those opposed to them. The websites
headlines. in this study use similar production patterns. To draw
public attention, they mobilize rumors and tribal,
V. COMBATTING AND PREVENTING religious, and racial sentiments. To popularize their
CYBERHOAXES websites, hoaxers use social media and networks to
The production and dissemination of cyberhoaxes and spread fake news and hate speech. The proliferation
hate speech are part of the politics of threat and of hoaxes and hate speech in cyberspace threaten
designed by certain actors to promote certain interests. national security and stability.
Hoaxes, as with cyber threats in general, are not
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@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 4 | May-Jun 2018 Page: 600