13 August 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. Disinformation, AI and ‘cyber chakravyuh’
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS3 – Science and Technology |
| Context |
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Introduction to 2024 Security Threats
- The year 2024 began with concerns about new security threats, especially from Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
- There was a looming fear of disinformation and cyber threats, with the potential for significant disruptions worldwide.
Threats to the Paris Olympics
- The 33rd Summer Olympic Games in France were considered potential targets for digital and cybercriminals.
- Despite no significant attacks occurring during the Games, security experts remain vigilant against emerging digital threats.
Early 2024 Security Landscape
- Early 2024 confirmed fears of diverse security threats, notably during the Taiwan elections, where disinformation was rampant.
- The ease of spreading disinformation with AI, particularly through deep fakes (digitally manipulated video, audio, or images), has caused widespread confusion and damage before the truth is uncovered.
Understanding AI-Enabled Threats
- AI-generated deep fakes and cyber attacks have increased the complexity of security threats, with national security at risk.
- The conflict in Ukraine serves as a case study of how AI-enabled disinformation and cyber attacks can disrupt critical infrastructure like telecommunications and power grids.
- A software glitch in Microsoft Windows in 2024 led to massive global disruptions, affecting flight operations, air traffic, and stock exchanges.
- Although not a cyberattack, this incident previewed the potential consequences of an actual cyberattack.
Historical Context of Cyber Attacks
- Previous cyberattacks, such as the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 and the Stuxnet attack in 2010, highlight the devastating impact of cyber threats.
- Stuxnet, a malicious computer worm, specifically targeted Iran’s nuclear program, illustrating the potential for state-sponsored cyber warfare.
- Cyber threats continue to grow, affecting individuals through cyber fraud, hacking, and phishing.
- Phishing remains a prevalent threat, stealing personal information such as customer IDs, credit/debit card numbers, and PINs.
Governments and Industry Response
- Governments are actively developing systems to counter digital threats, while industry and private institutions lag behind.
- Implementing firewalls, antivirus defences, and backup systems is insufficient; companies need chief information and security officers to guide them in tackling digital threats.
Addressing Digital Threats
- Raising awareness of digital threats is the first step in combating cyber and AI-directed threats.
- Preventing unauthorised use of Generative AI content demands significant effort and budgetary allocations, both in the private and public sectors.
- There is a need for coordinated action against digital threats, particularly in democracies under attack from these new sources.
- Digital surveillance, disinformation, bullying, and manipulation must be countered to ensure survival in a digital age.
Conclusion
- The year 2024 highlights the growing complexity of security threats, with AI and cyber challenges at the forefront.
- A unified approach, with heightened awareness and strategic countermeasures, is essential to safeguarding national security against these evolving threats.
| PYQ: Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2023) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the impact of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber threats on global security, highlighting the challenges they pose for international events like the Olympic Games. What measures can be taken to mitigate these risks? (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. The top court as custodian of liberties
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Judiciary |
| Context |
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Introduction
- The Supreme Court of India’s decision to grant bail to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia affirms the Court’s role in protecting individual liberties.
- The Court stressed the importance of constitutionalism and the rule of law, with liberty being a fundamental component.
Reaffirming Liberty
- The Court referenced the 2020 Arnab Goswami vs. The State of Maharashtra case, reinforcing that liberty is both resilient and essential.
- It reiterated the 1977 principle by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer that bail is the rule, and jail is the exception, aligning with the right to a fair and speedy trial under Article 21, which Mr. Sisodia was denied.
Constitutional Mandate
- The Supreme Court ruled that the right to bail in cases of delay should be integrated into Section 439 Cr.PC and Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
- The judgement is significant due to concerns over the misuse of stringent penal laws and oppressive application of the PMLA.
- The Court highlighted the low conviction rate under the PMLA, with only 40 convictions out of over 5,000 cases in the last decade.
Challenges in the Criminal Justice System
- The criminal justice system faces significant challenges due to delays, where procedural complexities become punitive.
- Issues like justice being hindered by legal technicalities are recognized in cases such as Sushil Kumar Sen (1975) and Rani Kusum (2005).
Concerns Raised
- Despite its merits, the judgement raises concerns about prolonged custodial confinement based on prosecutorial assurances.
- Relying on the prosecutor’s statements for trial timelines and charge sheet filing can contradict principles of natural justice and fair trial procedures.
The Guarantee of Civil Liberties
- Individual liberty should not depend solely on the fairness of prosecutors; it must be anchored in justice and inalienable rights.
- There is no virtue in legal processes that fail to deliver justice, and laws must change if they do not uphold freedom.
- The Court’s primary responsibility is to protect civil liberties against executive overreach, complementing the people’s assertion of their rights.
- Justice Robert Jackson’s reminder in Douglas vs. City of Jeannette (1943) emphasises that courts are crucial for protecting human rights in a democracy.
Restoring Liberty
- By granting Mr. Sisodia bail, the Supreme Court has addressed previous ambiguities and upheld the principles of bail and individual freedom.
- The judgement aims to prevent undertrials from languishing in custody, losing their freedom, reputation, privacy, and dignity without accountability.
- The nation must shift its political focus away from personal animosities towards justice and dignity for all, revitalising democracy.
Conclusion
- The article concludes with a personal reflection that the Court’s decision is a step toward ensuring that undertrials are not unjustly detained.
- It calls for a national shift in politics toward justice and dignity, emphasising the role of the judiciary in safeguarding civil liberties.
| Practice Question: Evaluate the role of the Supreme Court of India in upholding individual liberties and the right to a speedy trial in light of recent bail decisions. How do such judgments reflect on the broader challenges within the Indian criminal justice system? (250 Words /15 marks) |
