#CyberSafetyIndia Archives - Akancha Srivastava Foundation

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

The Akancha Srivastava Foundation is India’s leading social impact initiative dedicated to advancing cyber safety awareness and education. Established in February 2017, this not-for-profit Section 8 organization is a trusted voice in promoting safe online practices across the nation.

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The Foundation is committed to educating, empowering, and building bridges between the public and authorities on critical cyber safety issues. Additionally, we specialize in forensics training for law enforcement, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle cybercrime effectively.

The post Hackers Hate This Setting! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Stalkers Love Cloud Access!

Akancha Srivastava — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 05:47:17 +0000

Cloud storage is one of the most useful tools in our digital lives.

It backs up everything—photos, contacts, chats, passwords—without asking much from us. But that convenience comes with a dangerous blind spot. When you don’t control cloud access, it can become a stalker’s most powerful weapon.

In this episode, I explain how automatic cloud sync is being misused across India, often by former partners or abusive individuals. These threats don’t need physical access. They rely on something far more silent—your forgotten logins and unrestricted cloud permissions. Once granted, that access rarely gets revoked. Even after relationships end, accounts stay logged in. Devices remain connected. And the data keeps flowing.

Here’s how serious this is. According to a NortonLifeLock survey, 74 percent of Indian users in relationships admitted to digitally stalking their current or former partners. One in four confessed to using shared credentials to monitor devices or cloud accounts. This means your photos, calendar, chats, and even your location can be accessed long after a breakup—without your knowledge.

In December 2023, Mumbai police arrested a man who extorted ₹17 lakh from his ex‑lover by threatening to leak private photos stored in the cloud if she didn’t comply indiatoday.in+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1 indianexpress.com.

In 2023, India ranked third globally for stalkerware infections, according to a Kaspersky report. That same year, victim support helplines reported a rise in women discovering their private photos were accessed or leaked by ex-partners who retained cloud access. In many cases, survivors were being tracked through synced location histories or calendars.

This isn’t accidental. It is designed to intimidate and control. It’s a form of psychological violence that happens silently, through data most people forget to secure. The fact that a stalking case is reported every 55 minutes in India tells us what’s officially recognised. The digital side of this abuse goes mostly unreported.

Cloud accounts must be treated like bank accounts. You would never leave an ex with access to your money. Don’t leave them access to your digital life either.

Stay Safe – Do This:

Check all devices logged into your cloud account
Revoke access to any device you don’t recognise
Change passwords immediately after a breakup or conflict
Turn off auto-sync for sensitive data like photos or calendars
Enable two-factor authentication for all cloud accounts
Do not ignore activity alerts sent by your cloud provider

If this video helped you understand the risks, share it. Someone you know might be at risk without realising it. Subscribe to the channel and stay informed through expert content from the Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Real-World Data:

A survey byNortonLifeLock‑Harris in India found 74% of people in romantic relationships admit to online stalking, and 26% used partner credentials to access devices or accountseconomictimes.com+1safehome.org+1.
Kaspersky’s 2023 reportshowed India ranked #3 globally for stalkerware infections, affecting around 2,492 userscom.
According to Indian police data, astalking case is reported every 55 minutes, yet digital stalking remains deeply underreported gov.in+8en.wikipedia.org+8safehome.org+8.

🔔 Subscribe for more cyber safety insights!
👍 Like, share & comment to spread awareness!

Stay Aware, Stay Safe. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Stalkers Love Cloud Access! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Screenshots Can Expose You!

Akancha Srivastava — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:58:06 +0000

Have you ever taken a screenshot and shared it without a second thought?

You are not alone. Screenshots feel harmless. They are quick, convenient, and often used to prove a point, forward a message, or document a moment. But what if I told you that each of those screenshots could quietly expose more about you than you ever intended?

In today’s episode, I explain how something as ordinary as a screenshot can become a powerful tool in the hands of cybercriminals. Most people do not realise that screenshots often carry metadata, device details, timestamps, notification previews, and even partial location information depending on how and where the screenshot was taken. These clues can be pieced together to form a profile, timeline, or even used to identify a user.

Let’s break it down. Suppose you take a screenshot of a chat or payment screen. It may contain battery level, network provider, the time it was taken, your device type, and open notifications. These elements can confirm your identity, your phone model, your activity at a specific time, or even hint at your location. In sensitive or legal cases, this kind of traceability can be misused to harass, expose, or manipulate.

This becomes even more dangerous when screenshots are forwarded without edits. That casual image you share with friends or upload to social media can be copied, enhanced, and digitally examined. Tools available online can extract visible and invisible clues. Metadata like EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) can sometimes remain embedded, revealing when and where the screenshot was taken and on what device.

To stay safe, it is essential to take simple but effective precautions. Do not assume screenshots are harmless. Every image carries context, and that context can be weaponised in the wrong hands.

Stay Safe – Do This:

Crop out personal elements and notification bars before sharing
Disable location and EXIF data in your device settings
Avoid sharing screenshots of chats, transactions, or private content
Use screenshot protection features on supported devices
Double-check what appears in the background before capturing
Remember that forwarded screenshots are traceable and rarely anonymous

If you found this video helpful, share it widely to help others stay safe. Subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications for more actionable cyber safety content from the Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

🔔 Subscribe for more cyber safety insights!
👍 Like, share & comment to spread awareness!

Stay Aware, Stay Safe. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Screenshots Can Expose You! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Digital Kidnapping Is Real!

Akancha Srivastava — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 05:22:05 +0000

Digital kidnapping is an alarming, rapidly growing form of child exploitation.

It’s where criminals steal photos of children from social media or online platforms and use them to create fake identities. These stolen images are used for a variety of harmful purposes, including ransom scams, identity theft, trafficking, and distribution on dark web and pornography sites. Unlike physical abduction, digital kidnapping often goes unnoticed, causing emotional trauma to families and exposing children to long-term risks. This issue has become increasingly sophisticated with the rise of social media sharing and advances in AI technology, making vigilance essential for every parent, caregiver, and educational institution.

What is Digital Kidnapping?

The unauthorized use of a child’s photos online by strangers or criminals.
Fake profiles created using a child’s images to impersonate, defraud, or groom others.
Images sometimes altered or used inappropriately, leading to reputational damage or exploitation.
Children’s identities stolen to apply for passports, driver’s licenses, or to open fraudulent accounts.
Stolen photos uploaded on dark web marketplaces and pornography sites where predators trade and exploit these images.
Predators use stolen images to lure other children or groom victims by posing as trusted peers.

Real-World Scenario
Ananya’s parents proudly shared hundreds of photos of their 7-year-old daughter on Instagram. Unknown to them, a stranger downloaded several pictures and created a fake social media profile impersonating Ananya. This profile was used to contact other parents and children, pretending to be a child friend or a relative. Some unsuspecting parents even sent gifts or money believing the account was genuine. Meanwhile, the criminal behind the profile used the images to run scams, attempt identity theft, and distribute the photos on hidden dark web forums and explicit content sites. The family only discovered this after a concerned follower alerted them about suspicious activity linked to their daughter’s photos.

Case Study

In 2022, a report by the UK’s Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) highlighted a surge in digital kidnapping cases, noting thousands of stolen child images circulating on the dark web and pornography sites.
In the United States, multiple parents have reported fake profiles of their children used to extort money, solicit explicit content, or groom other children under false pretenses. One case involved a predator who created a fake child profile to lure other children into dangerous conversations.
In India, law enforcement agencies have increasingly flagged digital kidnapping as a component of larger online child exploitation rings, with perpetrators leveraging these images to groom, blackmail, or traffic children.

Why It’s So Dangerous

Unlike traditional kidnapping, victims often don’t know their identity is stolen until damage has occurred.
Children’s online reputations and privacy are compromised permanently.
Digital kidnapping can lead to real-world trafficking and abuse if criminals use fake profiles to build trust.
Stolen images are traded on dark web and explicit sites, increasing the scale of abuse and making removal almost impossible.
Recovery and removal of stolen images from the internet is often impossible.

Role of Schools

Schools must limit public sharing of students’ photos online to reduce exposure.
Implement closed, secure networks or platforms accessible only to parents and authorized personnel for sharing student images and updates.
Educate staff, students, and parents about the risks of digital kidnapping and responsible social media use.

What Parents Must Do

Limit sharing children’s photos on public social media. Use privacy settings rigorously.
Watermark images to discourage theft.
Regularly search online for stolen photos or fake profiles using image reverse search tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye.
Educate children about the risks of sharing personal images online or accepting friend requests from strangers.
Report fake profiles immediately to platform authorities and law enforcement.

Subscribe, like, and share to protect children from the growing threat of digital kidnapping. Awareness and vigilance save lives.

🔔 Subscribe for more cyber safety insights!
👍 Like, share & comment to spread awareness!

Stay Aware, Stay Safe. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Digital Kidnapping Is Real! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Instant Loan, Instant Hell!

Akancha Srivastava — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 05:44:13 +0000

They promise instant money. No paperwork.

No questions. Just download an app and get cash in minutes. What seems like convenience is actually the start of a brutal nightmare. In this episode, I expose the dark, deadly reality of illegal loan apps operating across India and the irreversible damage they are causing.

These unregulated apps offer quick loans with hidden terms and astronomical interest rates. Once a user downloads the app and accepts the permissions, the app gains full access to their contact list, messages, gallery, and more. The moment a repayment is delayed—even by a few hours—the abuse begins. Victims receive threats, obscene messages, and in many cases, morphed images are shared with their entire contact list to shame them into paying. This is not lending. This is psychological warfare.

A 23-year-old woman in Andhra Pradesh died by suicide in 2022 after being blackmailed by agents of such an app. Despite repaying part of her loan, they continued to harass her, sending doctored images to her contacts. She could not bear the shame and pressure. There are dozens of such stories, each pointing to a pattern of exploitation and abuse.

These apps are not registered with the Reserve Bank of India. They operate under fake company names, hide server locations, and disappear once flagged. Their tactics are illegal under Indian cybercrime and privacy laws, but the victims often suffer in silence, unaware that help is available.

It is essential to understand that these are not financial services—they are digital extortion rackets. They exploit financial desperation and tech illiteracy. We must act collectively to stop their reach. Never download any loan app that is not listed on RBI’s official portal. Never grant permissions to access contacts or media to any financial application. Once access is given, there is no undoing the damage.

Stay Safe – Do This:

Never download loan apps from unofficial websites or ads
Check the RBI website for the list of approved lenders
Do not grant contact or media access to any loan app
If harassed, file a complaint immediately on cybercrime.gov.in
Warn family and friends—shame loses its power when exposed
Block and report the numbers used for blackmail or threats

Action Against illegal loan apps

≈ 4,700 illegal loan apps were removed from Google Play Store between April 2021–August 2023en.wikipedia.org+1economictimes.indiatimes.com+1 faceofindia.org+13livemint.com+13linkedin.com+13.
Over 2,200 were specifically taken down during September 2022–August 2023indianexpress.com+2livemint.com+2sansad.in+2.
Between October 2023–May 2024, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) shut 379 illegal loan‐app websites, preventing ₹2,400 crore in cyber fraud faceofindia.org+15moneycontrol.com+15ndtv.com+15.
As of early 2024, 800+ suspicious apps were identified and flagged by FACE (a fintech industry body), with Google removing 3,500 personal loan apps in 2022 alone livemint.com+2faceofindia.org+2faceofindia.org+2.

Conclusion:
Yes, the illegal loan‑app ecosystem remains massive and active. Thousands of apps have been removed, yet hundreds continue to operate daily—justifying continued vigilance and public awareness.

If you found this video informative, share it urgently. You could be saving a life. Subscribe to the channel and stay updated on critical safety content from the Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Subscribe, like, and share this video to spread awareness about the hidden dangers of illegal loan apps. Protect yourself and your family—knowledge is power.

🔔 Subscribe for more cyber safety insights!
👍 Like, share & comment to spread awareness!

Stay Aware, Stay Safe. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Instant Loan, Instant Hell! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT FREE!

Akancha Srivastava — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:51:46 +0000

Think before your next post online!

Social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram appear free but come at an enormous hidden cost—our personal data, digital habits, and behavioral patterns are constantly harvested, analyzed, and monetized. This data collection is far more invasive than most realize. It is not just about targeted ads; these platforms trade and commodify our digital DNA, shaping our choices, influencing thoughts, and exposing users to unprecedented risks. The dangers are explored in documentaries like The Social Dilemma, which reveal how these platforms manipulate users for profit, often at the cost of mental health, privacy, and democracy.

What Data is Collected and Why It Matters

Platforms access personal information such as name, age, and gender.
Location tracking is continuous, even when apps are inactive.
Contact lists and social connections are uploaded and analyzed.
Access to media libraries, including photos and videos, allows deeper profiling.
Microphone and camera permissions enable passive data collection, sometimes without explicit user knowledge.
Browsing history beyond social media apps is tracked through embedded trackers and cookies.
Purchase data, both on and off platform, is aggregated to predict buying behavior.

Real-World Impact

The Social Dilemma (2020) reveals how addictive social media platforms cause increased anxiety, depression, and social polarization, especially among youth.
Excessive use correlates with mental health disorders and reduced cognitive ability.
Facebook faced multiple data breaches exposing millions of users worldwide, compromising privacy on a massive scale.
Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook have been under intense legal scrutiny and ongoing trials related to privacy violations, misinformation, and monopoly practices. Recent hearings continue to challenge Facebook’s role in data misuse and user manipulation.
Social media data is exploited by cybercriminals and foreign actors for identity theft, misinformation, and targeted harassment.

The Cambridge Analytica Case Study

One of the most significant examples of data misuse is the Cambridge Analytica scandal. In 2018, it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, harvested data from millions of Facebook users without their consent. This data was used to create detailed psychological profiles to target voters with personalized political advertisements during elections, notably the 2016 US presidential election and the Brexit referendum. The scandal exposed how social media data could be weaponized to manipulate democratic processes, erode public trust, and polarize societies. The fallout led to global calls for stricter data privacy laws and highlighted the urgent need for transparency and accountability in how personal data is collected and used by technology companies.

PS: TikTok was the worst offender, with a privacy policy allowing extensive data collection, including biometric data and location tracking, raising serious security and privacy concerns. Fortunately, it remains banned in India due to risks of data misuse and national security threats.

Why We Are Trading Our Life DNA

Data on behaviours, relationships, and preferences creates a unique digital fingerprint for every user.
This “life DNA” predicts vulnerabilities, health risks, and financial behavior.
Social networks profit not by charging users but by converting human behavior into valuable data points for sale and influence.
The illusion of control is deceptive; most users remain unaware of the extent and consequences of data collection.

What You Must Do

Limit data shared on social platforms and rigorously review app permissions.
Use privacy-focused alternatives and encrypted messaging when possible.
Regularly audit your digital footprint and adjust privacy settings accordingly.
Educate children and young adults about the real cost of “free” social media.
Demand transparency and regulation from social media companies and governments to protect individual rights.

Subscribe, like, and share this video to spread awareness about the hidden dangers of social media data collection. Protect yourself and your family—knowledge is power.

🔔 Subscribe for more cyber safety insights!
👍 Like, share & comment to spread awareness!

Stay Aware, Stay Safe. Jai Hind Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn: