Cross-Border Disinformation Campaign Disrupts CJP Protests in India

• •Over 500 social media profiles linked to disinformation identified during CJP protests.
• •AI-generated content and deepfakes were used to manipulate public perception.
• •Legal actions initiated against accounts spreading misinformation from Pakistan and the Middle East.

Maharashtra Cyber Police identified over 500 social media profiles linked to a coordinated disinformation campaign during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests. The campaign, primarily operated from Pakistan and the Middle East, utilized AI-generated content, deepfakes, and manipulated visuals to spread misinformation. Authorities flagged 429 objectionable posts across platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube, with around 100 accounts traced back to foreign origins. The investigation revealed significant use of advanced forensic tools to detect synthetic audio and video manipulation. Legal actions have been initiated against the identified accounts, and social media platforms have been requested to remove the misleading content. The campaign aimed to influence public perception and disturb public order amid ongoing protests related to the NEET paper leak issue. Maharashtra Cyber urged users to verify information before sharing it.