A00 Gender & Society

https://www.csohate.org/2025/05/16/india-pakistan-digital-war/ 
    Coordinated misinformation and disinformation campaigns were evident on both sides, with Indian pro-government influencers openly framing it as “electronic warfare.”
    Indian mainstream media outlets played a significant role in amplifying false claims, with major channels broadcasting unverified information as “breaking news,” lending credibility to fabricated stories.
    Video game footage was weaponized as “evidence” of military victories, particularly in the context of airstrikes and military engagements. Footage from pre-existing games were edited with text overlays, patriotic soundtracks, and strategic commentary to create battlefield narratives that generated millions of views.
    A large portion of misinformation came from old or unrelated visuals, such as recycled footage from unrelated conflicts or incidents. These were re-contextualized to suggest ongoing military actions. 
    AI generated content represented a significant evolution in misinformation tactics. Fabricated stories about Pakistani military figures supported by AI-generated visuals were widely circulated in India. Similarly, AI-generated videos and images falsely depicted Indian military losses and humiliations.
    Social media platforms served as primary vectors for cross-border information warfare. Platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube played a crucial role in spreading this content. Despite efforts by fact-checking organizations, a significant amount of misleading content went unchecked, amplifying its reach and impact.
    X emerged as the primary hub for both misinformation and disinformation. Of the 437 posts we examined, 179 originated from verified accounts and  only 73 were flagged with Community Notes.