Trump-Ordered Firing Raises Alarms Over AI’s Influence on Copyright Law

Shira Perlmutter is no longer running the U.S. Copyright Office. Her exit wasn’t announced with formality or explained in any government statement, but it quickly drew political heat — and deeper questions about how copyright law collides with artificial intelligence.

Her dismissal came from Donald Trump, according to multiple reports, though no official comment followed from his campaign or team. Still, her removal came just hours after her office circulated a draft report that spelled trouble for tech companies mining creative works to train AI systems.

The timing wasn’t subtle. The report didn’t offer final rulings, but its message was clear: training AI models on copyrighted books, articles, and art — especially for commercial gain — probably won’t qualify as fair use. Courts will have to make those decisions eventually, but the Copyright Office isn’t leaning in favor of the AI firms.

The report acknowledged that not every use would break the rules. Research and analysis might be fine. But taking huge volumes of creative material, using it to produce market-ready content, and doing it without permission? That crosses a line, the document implied.

Perlmutter had been appointed in 2020, during Trump’s earlier term. This week, he also removed Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, who originally gave her the role. These two changes — close together — didn’t go unnoticed.

On Capitol Hill, reaction came fast. Some lawmakers pointed directly at Elon Musk, who has a personal and financial interest in generative AI. Musk runs xAI, an AI startup that’s now being folded into the social platform formerly known as Twitter. He also co-founded OpenAI, which remains at the center of several lawsuits accusing it of using copyrighted data improperly.

A statement from Representative Joe Morelle, a Democrat on a House oversight panel, suggested that Perlmutter’s refusal to back Musk's position on copyright may have triggered her removal. He didn’t offer documentation, but he pointed at the report’s publication as a likely tipping point.

Trump, for his part, shared a post on his social network referencing Perlmutter’s firing. The message didn’t clarify his reasoning, but it hinted at approval. Ironically, the post came from an attorney critical of the move, arguing that AI firms were aiming to exploit creators for profit.

Meanwhile, the Copyright Office stopped short of demanding new laws or crackdowns. It proposed allowing licensing systems to develop, so that creators might negotiate directly with AI firms. If that fails, the agency floated broader models — like collective licenses — to balance power in the marketplace.

• Also read: How to Avoid Common Prompt Mistakes for Clearer ChatGPT Responses

As of now, companies building AI models still face legal uncertainty. They're betting that courts will accept their use of protected content as transformative or educational. But growing pressure from artists, authors, and lawmakers is making that gamble riskier by the day.

Perlmutter’s departure isn’t just a staffing change. It signals that the coming fights over AI and copyright won’t just play out in courtrooms — they may start with personnel decisions in federal agencies.

Image: DIW-AI-gen

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by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

How to Avoid Common Prompt Mistakes for Clearer ChatGPT Responses

ChatGPT users often make some common mistakes in prompts given to it, which have a great effect on replies given by ChatGPT. These mistakes are usually language-related, which is why most people just ignore them. But these small mistakes in spellings, structure or tone confuse ChatGPT, which then might generate replies that are also confusing and unsatisfying.

All users need is to structure their prompts in such a way that it becomes easy for ChatGPT to understand what type of reply you want. And the best way to do this is to minimize mistakes in your prompts. To do so, you must know what are the most mistakes made in ChatGPT prompts.

The following are the most common mistakes committed while taking help from ChatGPT:

Unclear Objectives

Your prompts should clearly indicate your objective. Why you are giving the prompt and what is the main reason behind it should be clearly mentioned, so ChatGPT replies as per your requirements. The lack of clarity in prompts about what you are looking for results in unclear answers or totally invalid replies. So be clear!

Bad Prompt:

"What’s the latest on AI?"

Improved Prompt:

"Can you summarize the latest updates in AI, especially regarding Google’s Gemini and its impact on search?"

Wrong Spellings

Clarity is the most important thing in any writing, and one of the things that reduce this clarity is spelling mistakes. Wrong spellings can result in a wrong interpretation of a text. The more there are spelling mistakes, the more there are the chances of a wrong interpretation of a text by ChatGPT, for it will start guessing the misspelled words or taking them for other words. So make sure that you use only correct spellings! We’re all guilty of writing prompts in a rush, so always double-check to ensure accuracy.

Limited Input

Providing limited data to ChatGPT about your issue or requirement will also make the whole thing unclear. If you provide a prompt saying, “Which book should I be reading now?” without providing any additional information about your history of reading, favourite genres and reading capacity, the answer by AI would be general and might not suit your personality and daily routine.

Bad Prompt:

"What are some good stocks to invest in?"

Improved Prompt:

"I’m a conservative investor with a 10-year horizon. What are some low-risk stocks in the energy and health sector I should consider?"

Complex Statements or Ambiguity in Terminology

Do not write complex sentences in your prompt. It should not be a lengthy speech, comprising complex sentences. Choose short sentences or phrases as a series of steps. In this way, the reply by ChatGPT will also follow the same structure of small steps which you can easily understand.

Bad prompt: "Can you explain EBITDA?"

Improved Prompt: "Can you explain EBITDA for a beginner in finance?"

AI does have the ability to understand complex sentences, but too much complexity or simplicity in your statements might lead it to interpret your prompt differently.

Bad prompt: "What is cloud?"

Improved Prompt: "What is cloud computing, and how is it used in business operations?"

No Clear Format

Do include in your prompt what type of format and structure you want your answer in. Tell ChatGPT whether the reply should be in the form of a series of steps, in paragraphs or in the form of a timetable. It will make AI generate answers as per your wishes.

Bad Prompt:

"Explain the process of photosynthesis."

Improved Prompt:

"Can you explain the process of photosynthesis in bullet points?, Please include a short summary at the end."

Inconsistent Tone

Keep your tone consistent throughout your prompt, allowing ChatGPT to understand your mood. The lack of consistency in tone breaks the prompt into different parts, which generates a confusing reply. You might see slightly different parts within the same answer if there is no consistent tone.

Too much or Invalid Information

Just like limited information, too much information also has the same effect. Information overload makes your prompt so complex that it becomes difficult even for AI to decide what you are actually looking for. So, keep your prompt concise by providing only that data which is important and make sure no useless phrases or words are used.

Tell ChatGPT Who the Answer Is For

Not all types of writing are for everyone. Some are for experts; some are for kids. You must tell ChatGPT through the prompt what type of audience will be reading the answer – whether the language style and word choice must be of the level of kids or experts.

Not doing so will make your message unattractive or unclear for your audience, and they might not understand it.

Bad Prompt:

"Explain the principles of quantum physics."

Improved Prompt:

"Explain the principles of quantum physics in simple terms for a high school student."

No Expert Assigned

People usually ask questions to ChatGPT relating to a specific field. Make sure that you tell ChatGPT to act as an expert of a field, so its replies show answers by an expert. Otherwise, it will provide you general information regarding the topic or issue, which might not be what you are looking for.

Assuming ChatGPT Knows Context (Context Gaps)

Many users assume ChatGPT understands the context of their queries, but this isn't the case. ChatGPT relies entirely on the information provided in the prompt and doesn’t have memory of past interactions unless specifically mentioned. If critical context is missing, the response may be overly broad, vague, or miss the point.

Example: Instead of asking, "What’s the impact of the new regulations?" clarify with specifics like, "What’s the impact of the new tax regulations passed in the U.S. in 2025?" This ensures ChatGPT provides a more targeted and relevant answer.

Conclusion

Even if you provide a wrong prompt or make a mistake, it’s okay — AI won’t hit a dead end. You can always refine your prompt in the next message. Just like humans, both AI and users grow through experience and feedback, so keep improving and asking clear questions to get the best results! And just a reminder, AI can also make mistakes, so be cautious and avoid adding sensitive data in your prompts.

By crafting concise, clear, and effective prompts, you'll fully benefit from ChatGPT, and most importantly, you will become aware of how to use AI effectively.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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by Ehtasham Ahmad via Digital Information World

How To Boost Your Instagram Reach, Engagement, And Followers The Right Way

Instagram has recently shared some best practices that users can follow to maximize their reach and followers. Everyone wants to have the most exposure and reach to their account but they need to follow Instagram’s guidelines to get that. A lot of users wonder what kind of factors are limiting their distribution on Instagram. As there are some practices that can maximize your reach, there are some practices that can limit it too.

One of the biggest mistakes users make is having a third-party watermark on their reel. Having a third-party watermark on a reel can limit its reach and can impact engagement on Instagram. Another point is posting content you didn't make. Most users tend to repost original content through their own accounts but it doesn't get the right kind of reach. This is because Instagram tends to recommend only the original content to users and ignore the posts users have reposted. It is best to have your own original content on Instagram and using tools like Collab and Remix to make the content more original.

Audiences also love reels which are within 30-90 seconds so try to make videos within 90 seconds time frame as they are enough to keep the viewer's interest and get more engagements. Instagram also filters out users’ accounts out of their recommendation systems if they violate Instagram’s recommendation guidelines.

There are also some other things that you should never post as they can also affect reach and engagements. Any content about suicide, self-harm and violence can limit your reach, plus "content that discusses... eating disorders, as well as content that depicts or trivialises themes around death or depression" is a big no no. If you have shared any content from a non-recommendable account, it can also mess up with your reach. Content that promotes cigarettes, tobacco and other regulated products can also filter or demote your content.

All in all "focus on increasing authentic engagement with your community". Instagram will downrank content if they determine it is engagement bait.

On the other hand if your aim is to get more follower Instagram also has some tips for you.

As per IG, "Consistently sharing feed posts or carousels helps you engage with your audience, which can boost the distribution of your content."

A post from IGforBusiness explains that, "Engagements such as likes and comments are used as signals when determining how your content will be distributed to people who don't follow you. Creating engaging content and interacting with your followers in the comments can help you get more reach overall."

To create more engaging content on Instagram, focus on relatability and humor to encourage shares, and craft posts that spark comments, DMs, or story reshares. Use a strong hook within the first five seconds of reels to capture attention early, and regularly check your insights to identify which posts drive the most engagement so you can refine your strategy.

According to Instagram, posting frequency can also be another important factor in follower growth, as creators with the highest net follower gains typically share 10 or more reels per month. Many grow even further by exceeding that number. However, Instagram emphasizes that content creation is a marathon, not a sprint, sustained growth should never come at the cost of your well-being.

In the end, Instagram suggests that. "It's important to experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you. If you find that making a reel takes up too much time, but carousels are much more manageable, then do what is most sustainable. The trick is consistency, whatever that looks like to you!"

Image: DIW-Aigen

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OpenAI Becomes the Default Setting for Corporate AI Spend

Spending patterns across U.S. companies suggest one thing clearly: OpenAI has taken a commanding lead in enterprise AI. That conclusion, based on spending data analyzed by financial automation firm Ramp, underscores how deeply embedded OpenAI’s tools have become in corporate operations.

In April, nearly one-third of companies tracked by Ramp were paying for OpenAI’s platforms or services. Back in January, that figure was closer to 19%. It moved past 28% by March. Few rivals can claim similar traction.

Anthropic, OpenAI’s well-funded competitor, saw modest growth during that same window — from under 5% in January to about 8% in April. Google’s AI offerings, on the other hand, appear to be fading from enterprise budgets. Ramp’s numbers show a sharp decline in spending there, down from 2.3% in February to nearly nonexistent levels by spring.

Date	Total AI user	Google	Openai	Anthropic	Deepseek	xAI
2023-01-01	6.20%	0.04%	0.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-02-01	7.27%	0.03%	1.68%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-03-01	11.60%	0.04%	4.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-04-01	13.40%	0.04%	6.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-05-01	14.28%	0.06%	6.96%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-06-01	14.12%	0.03%	6.91%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-07-01	14.14%	0.04%	7.64%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-08-01	15.06%	0.04%	8.26%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-09-01	15.27%	0.03%	8.86%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-10-01	15.70%	0.03%	9.27%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-11-01	15.59%	0.03%	9.48%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%
2023-12-01	16.08%	0.03%	10.50%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%
2024-01-01	17.15%	0.05%	11.55%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%
2024-02-01	17.75%	0.06%	11.87%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%
2024-03-01	18.59%	0.52%	12.36%	1.34%	0.01%	0.00%
2024-04-01	18.99%	1.03%	12.44%	1.55%	0.00%	0.01%
2024-05-01	20.19%	1.14%	13.08%	1.55%	0.00%	0.00%
2024-06-01	20.02%	1.14%	13.19%	1.72%	0.01%	0.00%
2024-07-01	20.86%	1.26%	13.66%	2.54%	0.01%	0.00%
2024-08-01	21.97%	1.46%	14.39%	2.88%	0.01%	0.00%
2024-09-01	22.94%	1.58%	15.17%	3.13%	0.01%	0.00%
2024-10-01	23.79%	1.76%	15.59%	3.38%	0.01%	0.02%
2024-11-01	24.30%	1.90%	15.96%	3.76%	0.02%	0.00%
2024-12-01	25.41%	2.07%	17.29%	4.20%	0.02%	0.01%
2025-01-01	27.55%	2.25%	18.92%	4.60%	0.25%	0.04%
2025-02-01	29.24%	2.20%	21.07%	5.08%	0.08%	0.25%
2025-03-01	36.44%	0.10%	27.98%	7.44%	0.11%	0.45%
2025-04-01	40.06%	0.08%	32.40%	8.03%	0.08%	0.48%

Ramp’s analysis draws from around 30,000 companies using its expense and bill management platform. That’s a sizable sample, but it doesn’t capture the entire picture. Some purchases may fall under broader software budgets or appear under general-purpose vendors — and those would slip past Ramp’s AI-tracking filters.

Even with that caveat, OpenAI’s momentum looks undeniable. Not only are more companies signing on, but they’re also doing so at a pace that outstrips all others in the space. The shift isn’t just about experimentation either — it reflects growing reliance on OpenAI’s tools across various departments and workflows.

Internally, OpenAI has shared that it now serves more than 2 million paying business accounts — double the number it cited last fall. The company expects that enterprise revenue will become its primary source of income in the near future. Estimates shared with Bloomberg place its projected revenue at $12.7 billion this year, possibly climbing past $29 billion within the next two.

Despite that upward trajectory, OpenAI still operates at a loss. Profitability isn’t expected before 2029. In the meantime, the company is exploring higher-end offerings aimed specifically at technical teams. These may include tailored AI agents built to support software engineering or complex research, priced at enterprise rates.

As things stand, no other vendor in Ramp’s index is scaling business adoption at anything close to OpenAI’s speed. And unless something changes fast, that gap could widen.

Read next: Top Five Free VPNs in 2025 Offer Mixed Performance and Limited Features
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Top Five Free VPNs in 2025 Offer Mixed Performance and Limited Features

Nowadays, everyone is looking for a good free VPN to use. VPNs are used for different things, like enhancing privacy and security, or even accessing content from different locations. Most people assume that the best VPNs are those you have to pay for, but that’s not entirely true because some free VPNs are available with all the features you need.

Best Free VPNs in 2025

The top five best free VPNs in 2025 are:
1. Proton VPN
2. PrivadoVPN
3. Windscribe Free VPN
4. Hide.me Free VPN
5. Shield Basic VPN

1- Proton VPN

One of the best free VPN in 2025 is Proton VPN, which offers many advanced features like WireGuard protocol, kill switch, and many ad-free open-source apps that are secure. You can also switch between browsing and gaming nodes to improve usability. Proton VPN solely focuses on privacy with no data limits, but it has some its limitations as well. One of the biggest limitations of using Proton VPN is that you cannot connect to a server of your own choice, as it automatically connects to the five available servers. This means that it is only good for torrenting or streaming content from other countries, with the connection speed dropping during busy periods.

Why Should You Use It?
● Offers unlimited data, which is very rare
● Has regular independent audits
● Has decent privacy and security settings
● Has regular independent audits
● Has an ad-free interface

Drawbacks:
● No torrenting/P2P
● No choice of servers as they are auto-assigned
● Has no streaming support like BBC iPlayer and Netflix
● Its servers can get slow during peak hours

2- PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN is one of the best VPN in 2025, available on different Windows, Android, MAC, Linux, and iOS apps. Even though it has a lot of streaming functionality with limitations, it is the best free VPN with little to no security issues and breaches. It offers 13 servers from 10 different countries, including the UK and the US, and gives 10 GB of data every month, with up to 900 Mbps speed.

You can easily stream services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Max, Sling, ITV, etc. It is supported by torrenting as well. What you cannot get through PrivadoVPN’s free plan is verified privacy, as there is no third party to audit its security. There is also no unlimited streaming because 10 GB per month cannot cover enough shoes, and there is also no global access, as the free plan only covers specific countries.

Why Should You Use It?
● 10 GBs of data every month
● Torrenting is supported, and strong encryption
● Has a kill switch, Chrome extension, and split-tunneling
● Available for most devices

Drawbacks:
● Has no third-party security audit
● Only allows limited streaming (around 10 shows a month)
● Doesn’t have servers in places like Australia if you want to watch regional content

3- Windscribe Free VPN

The third-best free VPN on the list is Windscribe Free, with 14 server locations across 10 countries. It also offers different simultaneous connections, so no need to get worried about switching between your phone, laptop, or other devices. You get 10 GB of monthly data on Windscribe and can get an additional 5 GB if you promote it on social media. It also uses the R.O.B.E.R.T tool, which blocks ads, malicious sites, and trackers so you can have a smooth experience. The only drawbacks are that there is no port forwarding, which limits torrenting, and it also doesn't have a third-party security audit. Overall, it is good for everyday private browsing and light streaming, as you get decent data every month.

Why Should You Use It?
● Gives you unlimited device connections
● Has access to 14 servers, including the US and UK
● Has R.O.B.E.R.T, which is a built-in ad and tracker blocker
● Has fast speeds up to 900 Mbps
● Also includes browser extensions

Drawbacks:
● Has no port forwarding, and it's bad for torrenting
● Has no third-party audit of privacy policies
● Limited data (10 GB), which limits streaming

4- Hide.me Free

If you are looking for a VPN for accessing blocked platforms, Hide.me Free is a good choice as it offers a wide range of browsers and devices. Hide.me Free also has many advanced features like protocol selection and split tunneling. As with the case with many free VPNs, Hide.me Free also comes with only 10 GB of data every month, with only one device connection, and with very slow speeds. It also cannot support streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix, with no-log policy not being audited since 2015.

Why Should You Use It?
● Has P2P support on 7 servers
● Has strong privacy settings with no personal information required for sign-up
● Has features like split tunneling and other protocols
● Has apps for many browsers and platforms

Drawbacks:
● Has a slow speed of only 25 Mbps
● Has a one-device limit and 10GB of monthly data
● Has no support for streaming services like Amazon and Netflix
● Has an outdated privacy audit

5- Hotspot Shield

The fifth top free VPN in the list is Hotspot Shield Basic, which is very easy to use and offers unlimited data. It can also unblock US content like Hulu and Netflix, and has okish speeds of up to 70 Mbps. The major downsides of using Hotspot Shield Basic are that you can only get access to one server in the US and cannot choose other countries. There are also a lot of ads, and it doesn’t have security features like a kill switch.

Why Should You Use It?
● Offers unlimited data, which is best for streaming and heavy browsing
● Can access US Hulu and US Netflix
● It is available across many platforms, including smart TVs

Drawbacks:
● Has only one server, the US one
● Has limited protection as there's no kill switch
● Gets a lot of ads
● Has inconsistent stream reliability and speeds
● Has no advanced features like server choice, torrenting, and port forwarding

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should You Use a Free VPN?

Yes, free VPNs can be a good choice if you are using them for basic needs like anonymous browsing, securing public Wifi, or for occasional use.

What Things are Not Available in Free VPN?

Free VPNs are good for basic usage and cover essential features like IP masking, encryption, and safe browsing. But they do not always have the best performance and features, which makes them multi-purpose. Moreover, paid VPNs also have more servers and locations to which you can connect.

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Google Pays Texas Millions After Lawsuits Challenge Location Tracking and Facial Recognition Practices

Google just handed over nearly $1.375 billion to Texas. Not as a donation — but to shut down two big lawsuits claiming the company dipped too far into people’s private lives.

The whole mess started back in 2022. Texas officials said Google kept tabs on folks in ways they never signed up for. We’re talking location data, quiet audio captures, facial patterns — and all this wrapped inside things like Maps, Chrome, and Photos. The kind of stuff users thought was private? It wasn’t.

This settlement stands taller than anything other states squeezed out of Google over privacy. And oddly enough, it comes just months after Texas pulled the same kind of billion-dollar move on Meta over biometric data.

Google says it didn’t do anything wrong. No rules broken, no admissions. And no changes to how their products work either — at least not because of this case. According to them, anything worth tweaking got updated long ago.

Still, Texas officials called it a win. For them, it’s not just money — it’s a warning shot to other tech giants. If you’re going to mess with user privacy, you better be ready to pay up.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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How to Detect Misinformation During India-Pakistan Tension Without Falling for Manipulated or Misleading Sources

Tensions between two nuclear powers India and Pakistan have risen sharply in 2025, and so has the spread of fake news and disinformation. As both countries face heightened political and military rhetoric, social media has become a breeding ground for rumors, false information, and manipulated content. From distorted videos to misleading news reports, these fake stories can cause confusion and even make the situation worse.

In such times, it’s essential to know how to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s fake. This guide is designed to help you navigate the flood of information and recognize misleading content that can misguide public opinion or stir up unnecessary fear.

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The Digital Battlefield: How Misinformation Spreads

Misinformation has been around for as long as people have communicated, but digital tools have made it easier for fake news to spread quickly. In 2025, the tension between India and Pakistan has shown just how much misinformation can affect public opinion. The tools available today, like AI, deepfake videos, and social media algorithms, make it even harder to tell what’s real and what’s not.

• Also read: Study Reveals Social Media Users Share News Without Reading, Driving Misinformation

Past events, like the Kargil conflict and the Pulwama attack, showed us how quickly fake stories could spread. In 2025, things have only gotten more advanced. Digital tools allow misinformation to be shared at a faster pace, often making it difficult to distinguish between a real event and a fabricated one.

On both sides of the border, fake stories are becoming a serious issue. In India, government bodies like the Press Information Bureau (PIB) have debunked many fake claims, while in Pakistan, organizations like the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) are raising awareness about hoaxes and manipulated content on their social media channels.

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Where Fake News Spreads

Misinformation is rampant on various internet platforms, each with its own way of circulating fake stories.

WhatsApp and Texts

WhatsApp is often used to spread rumors. People forward voice messages or text alerts about military movements or political decisions that are rarely true. These messages usually come with a tag like “forwarded many times,” which makes them seem more credible than they really are.

X (Formerly Twitter)

X is one of the most popular platforms for sharing political opinions and news, but it’s also a place where fake accounts and bots spread lies and propagandas. These accounts often appear to be credible sources, making their posts seem more trustworthy than they really are.

• You might like: 76% View Journalism as Essential for Combating Misinformation, with Social Media Seen as Top Culprit

TikTok and YouTube Shorts

Short video platforms are another major source of fake news. Videos, often manipulated or edited, circulate quickly, sharing misleading or false information about events. These videos can be altered in ways that make them seem more convincing, leading viewers to believe they are authentic.

Facebook Groups

Facebook groups are a common place for misinformation, where old images or videos are shared with new, misleading captions. These can make it appear as though something is happening right now, even though the image is from years ago.

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How to Spot Fake News: Practical Tips

It’s important to stay sharp and be skeptical when you come across news that seems too sensational or emotional. Here are some simple tips to help you spot fake news:

Don’t Trust Everything That’s Viral

Just because something is being shared a lot doesn’t mean it’s true. Viral stories often lack real sources and can be designed to get you to react emotionally.

Check the Source

Look at the website or account that shared the information. Trustworthy news usually comes from well-known and credible sources, like government websites or major news outlets. If the source seems strange or if there are no clear citations, be cautious.

• Related: How to Find the Publish Date of a Website, Webpage or Article

Look for Dates and Updates

Is the story current, or is it from years ago? Fake news often gets passed around as if it’s happening now, even when it’s outdated. Always check the dates and whether the story has been updated or retracted.

• Recommended: Social Media’s 'News-Finds-Me' Mentality Fuels Misinformation Sharing 

Pay Attention to Language

Fake news often uses dramatic language to stir up emotions. Watch out for words designed to make you angry, scared, or overly excited. If the tone is too extreme, it could be fake.

Check the Account’s History

Before you share or engage with a post, check the account that published it. New accounts or accounts with a history of sharing unverified content are more likely to be fake.

Use Reverse Image Search

If you’re unsure about an image or video, use tools like Google’s reverse image search to see if it’s been posted before or if it has been doctored. This can help you identify whether an image is being used in a misleading way.

Look for Signs of Deepfakes

Deepfakes are AI-generated videos and audio that can make people say things they never did. They’re increasingly being used to manipulate public opinion. Pay attention to details like voice inconsistencies, strange facial movements, or mismatched audio and video that might signal a deepfake.

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Language Clues in Misinformation: Recognizing Regional Differences

Fake news isn’t just about visuals and headlines, it can also be found in the way people speak that is from pronunciation differences. For instance, in Pakistan and India, there are subtle language differences in Urdu. Pakistani Urdu tends to use more Persianized words, while Indian Urdu is more closely linked to Hindi. This can be an important clue when you hear audio or video clips from supposed political leaders. A fake audio might mix up these regional differences, making it easier to spot.

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Psychological Impact of Fake News

Misinformation often targets your emotions, trying to get you to react without thinking. It plays on your fear, anger, and national pride to make you believe things that aren’t true. This is a form of psychological manipulation. The goal is not just to mislead you but to make you feel something—so you’ll act on that feeling, whether it’s sharing a post or believing in a false narrative.

Fake news stories are often repeated, which makes them seem more legitimate over time. This is why it’s so important to slow down and check the facts before reacting.

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Why Institutions Struggle to Fight Misinformation

While social media platforms like Facebook and X have tried to curb the spread of fake news, their efforts often fall short, especially when it comes to regional languages. Automated systems can’t always catch the nuances of local languages, and manual moderation is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content.

In India and Pakistan, fact-checking organizations like PIB and DRF are doing good work, but they can’t keep up with the constant flood of fake content produced by army of bots and automated programs. It’s clear that more needs to be done to tackle this problem.

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What You Can Do as a Reader

It’s up to each of us to do our part in fighting fake news. Here’s how you can help:

Verify before you share. Always check the source and use fact-checking tools to confirm the information.

Don’t fall for sensationalism. If something makes you feel overly emotional, take a moment to stop and think.

Report fake content. If you come across misinformation, don’t just ignore it, report it so it doesn’t spread.

Educate yourself and others. Share tips on how to spot fake news with your friends and family so they don’t fall for it either.

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Final Thoughts

As tensions between India and Pakistan continue, the importance of identifying fake news will only grow. By staying vigilant and skeptical, you can help ensure that truth prevails over lies. It’s our collective responsibility to challenge fake stories and demand better from the sources we trust. By doing so, we can prevent misinformation from causing harm and contribute to a more informed and peaceful world.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: New Study Reveals Critical Thinking is More Effective at Combating Misinformation Than Censorship

by Web Desk via Digital Information World