#DigitalSafety Archives - Akancha Srivastava Foundation

Twitter: @AkanchaS

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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 Daily Cyber Hygiene Habits! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Instagram DMs Are Not Encrypted! #ASF

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:40:40 +0000

Did you know that Instagram has ended its encryption of the DMS?

News link for reference: Meta Help Center confirms that end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram is no longer supported from May 8, 2026. Khaleej Times also reported that Instagram has removed end-to-end encryption for direct messaging. – https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/tech/meta-instagram-end-to-end-encryption-removed

Most of us treat private messages as safe spaces. We send photos, documents, addresses, school details, personal updates, emotional conversations, financial information, travel plans, screenshots, and sometimes even voice notes without thinking twice.

But Instagram has discontinued end-to-end encrypted messaging for Direct Messages from May 8, 2026. This means users must become far more careful about what they share inside Instagram DMs. A private chat is not automatically a protected space. Meta’s Help Center confirms that end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram is no longer supported from this date.

This matters because misuse does not always begin with hacking. Sometimes it begins with oversharing. A private photo can be saved. A personal document can be forwarded. A sensitive conversation can be screenshotted. A child can be manipulated into moving from comments to DMs. An account can be compromised, and years of personal messages can suddenly become a risk.

For children and teenagers, this risk is even higher. Many of them do not understand the difference between a public comment, a private message, a disappearing message, and a truly secure conversation. They may trust a gaming friend, a fan page, a classmate, an unknown follower, or someone pretending to be their age. One careless message can expose their identity, location, school, daily routine, family details, or private pictures.

Adults are also vulnerable. Many people send copies of IDs, bank details, business information, confidential screenshots, personal disputes, medical documents, and emotional conversations on social media DMs because it feels quick and convenient. Convenience cannot be the standard for digital safety. Sensitive information must never be shared casually just because a chat window feels familiar.

Please do not share Aadhaar, PAN, passport details, bank information, passwords, OTPs, school IDs, home addresses, travel plans, private photos, or deeply personal conversations through Instagram DMs.

Parents must explain this clearly to children. Private messaging is not a place for secrets with strangers. It is not a place to send personal pictures. It is not a place to continue conversations with unknown profiles, gaming friends, fake fan pages, or accounts that create emotional pressure.

Go through your old chats. Delete sensitive information where possible. Turn on two-factor authentication. Use strong passwords. Check login alerts. Teach children to take screenshots and report immediately if someone makes them uncomfortable.

Every digital space demands caution. Before you send anything online, ask yourself one simple question: can this harm me or my child if it is saved, forwarded, or exposed?

Stay Aware, Stay Safe!
Jai Hind!

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

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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 Instagram DMs Are Not Encrypted! #ASF appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Disappearing Chats Are Not Truly Safe!

Akancha Srivastava — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:10:51 +0000

Deleting a message does not mean it disappears from reality.

Disappearing chats do not guarantee privacy, control, or safety.

This is one of the biggest myths people believe online.

A message can still be seen before deletion.
It can be screenshotted.
It can be recorded from another device.
It can be forwarded.
It can be saved manually.
It can be captured in notifications.
It can be backed up.
It can remain on another person’s phone even after you think it is gone.

That means deletion removes visibility, not risk.

Many people become careless inside disappearing chats.
They speak more loosely.
They share private photos.
They send sensitive details.
They assume the conversation is protected because the platform says messages will vanish.
That false sense of safety creates danger.

This is where the real problem begins.

The other person can still misuse what was sent.
A screenshot can be taken in seconds.
A screen recording can preserve everything.
Another phone can photograph the chat.
Content can be copied before expiry.
Personal details can be noted down and used later.
Once information leaves your hands, control leaves with it.

Even where platforms give screenshot alerts, that is not full protection.
It does not stop another device from capturing the screen.
It does not stop someone from storing the content before the alert appears.
It does not reverse exposure.

Deleted messages also create false confidence in personal and professional settings.

People assume:
I deleted it so it is gone
The chat vanished so nobody can prove it
This platform is private so it is safe
That thinking is dangerous

In reality, digital content often leaves traces.
Metadata can remain.
Backups can exist.
Recipients can retain evidence.
Platforms may store limited records.
Investigations can examine devices, cloud backups, account history, linked systems, and recovered data depending on the case.

This matters in cybercrime, harassment, blackmail, workplace misconduct, family disputes, data leaks, and reputation damage.

People need to understand one hard truth:
Temporary visibility does not mean temporary impact.

What we must do:

Never send anything you cannot tolerate being saved
Do not trust disappearing mode as a security feature
Do not share private images, OTPs, passwords, IDs, financial details, or confidential work information in casual chats
Assume every message can be captured
Teach children and young adults that vanishing chats do not remove consequences
Use secure judgment, not platform labels, as your real safety rule

Privacy tools can reduce casual exposure.
They do not eliminate human risk.

The safest message is the one you never send carelessly.

📢 Spread awareness—SHARE this video to protect others too.
🔹 Follow for more expert cyber safety insights from the Akancha Srivastava Foundation. Together, we build a safer online world!

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👍 Like, share & comment to spread awareness!

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

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https://cybercrime.gov.in

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, Emeritus)
Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

Our Mission

The post Disappearing Chats Are Not Truly Safe! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Screen Sharing App Scams Target Senior Citizens!

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:21:39 +0000

Beware screen sharing apps!

Screen sharing app scams are aggressively targeting senior citizens across India. These frauds are designed to look like legitimate customer support interactions and are responsible for some of the fastest and most devastating financial losses among elderly victims.

The scam usually begins when a senior citizen searches for customer care related to banking, UPI, pensions, gas connections, electricity bills, telecom services, or medical insurance. In many cases, the victim finds a fake helpline number on Google Search or Google Maps and calls it believing it to be official.

The person on the call introduces themselves as customer support and claims there is an urgent issue with the account. The problem is described in a way that creates fear, confusion, and dependency. The victim is then instructed to install a screen sharing or remote access application such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or similar tools under the pretext of resolving the issue.

Once screen sharing is enabled, the criminal can see everything on the phone in real time. This includes bank apps, UPI apps, OTP messages, SMS alerts, and passwords being typed. The victim is often told to keep the app open and not touch the phone while the issue is being fixed.

During this time, the fraudster initiates UPI collect requests, fund transfers, or account changes. The victim unknowingly approves transactions or reveals sensitive information. Money is drained within minutes. In many cases, fixed deposits are broken, savings accounts emptied, and pension funds wiped out.

This scam is particularly effective against senior citizens because it exploits three factors simultaneously. Limited familiarity with app permissions, deep trust in authority figures, and panic when financial or service access is threatened.

Criminals often stay on the call while the fraud is happening, reassuring the victim that everything is under control. By the time the call ends, the money is gone and the number becomes unreachable.

Common services misused in these scams include
Bank and credit card customer care
UPI and digital wallet support
Gas cylinder and electricity complaint lines
Telecom and SIM related services
Medical insurance and pension services

No legitimate bank, government department, or company ever asks a customer to install a screen sharing app. No customer care executive needs visual access to your phone to resolve an issue. Any such request is a fraud.

What senior citizens and families must do to prevent this scam :

Never install screen sharing or remote access apps on instruction from a caller.
Never search customer care numbers on Google during a crisis. Use numbers printed on bank cards, official apps, bills, or verified websites.
Never share OTPs, PINs, or passwords with anyone claiming to be support.
If a caller creates urgency or fear, disconnect immediately.
If a screen sharing app has already been installed, turn off mobile data and Wi-Fi immediately, uninstall the app, and change all banking and email passwords.
Inform the bank at once and block digital transactions if needed.
Families must proactively warn elderly members that screen sharing equals full phone access.

If a screen sharing app has already been installed, disconnect the internet immediately, uninstall the app, change all banking and email passwords, and inform the bank without delay. File a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal as quickly as possible.

📢 Spread awareness—SHARE this video to protect others too.
🔹 Follow for more expert cyber safety insights from the Akancha Srivastava Foundation. Together, we build a safer online world!

🔔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 Screen Sharing App Scams Target Senior Citizens! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Google Listings Can Empty Your Bank Account

Akancha Srivastava — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:31:13 +0000

Googkle listings are default trustworthy?

Google Listings has become a default trust layer for Indian consumers. People rely on it to find hospitals, electricians, hotels, customer support, and emergency services. Cybercriminals are exploiting this trust by planting fake business listings that directly lead to financial fraud.

Fake Google Maps listings are not random. They are deliberately created to target people already under stress or urgency, such as those searching for customer support, repairs, bookings, or emergency services. Victims believe they are calling a legitimate business. They are not.

The scam begins when a user searches for a service on Google Maps. A fake listing appears with a professional name, high-ranking placement, and a phone number. When the victim calls, the fraudster poses as customer support or a service provider and guides the victim into a payment trap.

In many cases, victims are instructed to make advance payments, security deposits, booking confirmations, or verification charges. Payments are routed through UPI, wallets, or mule bank accounts. Once the money is transferred, the listing disappears or the number becomes unreachable.

The businesses most commonly misused in fake Google Maps listings are those people search for in urgency or distress. These include:

AC and refrigerator repair services
RO water purifier servicing
Washing machine and appliance repair
Electricians and plumbers
Packers and movers
Hospitals, emergency clinics, and ambulance services
Travel booking and airline customer support
Gas cylinder booking and electricity complaint services

For example, a user searches “AC repair near me” or “Indigo customer care” on Google Maps. A fake listing appears with a professional name and phone number. The caller is asked to pay an advance inspection fee or booking charge. No technician ever arrives. The listing disappears within hours.

These scams succeed because the victim initiates contact and assumes platform-level verification.

This fraud is particularly dangerous because it does not rely on suspicious links or messages. It exploits trust in Google’s ecosystem itself. Victims often realise the fraud only after the money is gone and the business never arrives. It can also lead to physical harm.

What people must understand clearly is that Google Maps listings are not automatically verified. Anyone can create a listing. Ranking does not equal legitimacy. Reviews can be manipulated. Phone numbers can be changed repeatedly.

What people must do to protect themselves is straightforward and non-negotiable.

Never make advance payments to a service provider found only through a Google listing.
Always cross-verify the business through its official website and domain-based email ID.
Call the number listed on the company’s official website, not the one on Maps.
Be cautious of listings with generic names, recently created profiles, or only one contact number.
Do not trust listings that push urgency or demand immediate payment.
For customer support, use numbers mentioned on official bills, apps, or verified websites.
In emergencies, contact known hospitals or services directly, not through search alone.

If you have already made a payment after calling a Google Maps listing, report immediately on
https://cybercrime.gov.in

📢 Spread awareness—SHARE this video to protect others too.
🔹 Follow for more expert cyber safety insights from the Akancha Srivastava Foundation. Together, we build a safer online world!

🔔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 Google Listings Can Empty Your Bank Account appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Fake Government Alerts In Crises

Akancha Srivastava — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:46:32 +0000

During times of crisis, fear spreads faster than facts. Cybercriminals exploit this moment by circulating fake government alerts that appear urgent and authoritative. Messages claiming curfews, emergency registrations, or sudden security advisories are designed to trigger panic so that people react instantly without verifying the source.

These alerts are rarely sent by official authorities. Instead, they usually contain links that redirect users to phishing pages. Once clicked, these pages attempt to collect personal information, banking details, or login credentials. In some cases, they may also install malware on the device, giving attackers long-term access to sensitive data.

The tactic works because crises reduce people’s ability to pause and think. When a message appears to come from a government authority and mentions public safety or emergency restrictions, many people assume it must be legitimate. Cybercriminals rely on this psychological pressure to push victims into clicking quickly.

In reality, official government emergency alerts follow very clear communication channels. They are typically issued through verified government websites, official apps, or authenticated social media accounts. Legitimate alerts do not ask citizens to submit passwords, OTPs, or financial information through random links.

The safest response to any emergency message is verification. Instead of clicking the link in the message, check the announcement directly through official government websites or verified authority accounts. Taking a few seconds to verify can prevent serious financial loss or identity theft.

Crises test not only public safety systems but also digital awareness. Staying calm, verifying information, and refusing to react impulsively are the most effective defenses against cybercriminals who attempt to exploit moments of fear.

The post Fake Government Alerts In Crises appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

That Study Group Is A Trap!

Akancha Srivastava — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:54:52 +0000

Telegram “study groups” look harmless.

Teens join to exchange notes, share assignments, clear doubts and feel supported before exams. Behind this innocent façade, predators enter these groups using anonymous profiles. They pose as toppers, tutors or helpful seniors. Once trust is built, they move vulnerable teens into private chats and begin targeted manipulation that escalates into sextortion.

How These Traps Start:

Teens forward PDFs, photos of homework and project files in open groups.
Strangers inside the group message them privately pretending to offer additional help.
These strangers speak politely, share motivational quotes and act like mentors.
They slowly push for more personal interactions and build emotional dependence.

Nothing looks dangerous in the beginning, and that is exactly how grooming works.

How Predators Manipulate Teens:

They ask for personal photos “to recognise you during group discussions”.
They request a quick selfie “for your student profile”.
They offer to help with stress or emotional problems and shift to private conversations.
They convince teens to share photos or videos under the guise of trust.
The moment any personal content is shared, the tone changes.

What began as study help becomes blackmail.

How Sextortion Happens:

Criminals threaten to leak photos to school groups and parents.
They demand more images or videos.
They demand money through UPI or gift cards.
They create panic by sending screenshots of the teen’s contact list.

Because teens feel guilty or ashamed, they hesitate to seek help, which worsens the situation.

Real World Evidence:

Indian cyber police units report a surge in sextortion cases starting from Telegram and anonymous study groups.
Source:https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-sees-rise-in-sextortion-cases-cops-warn-students-101696581877023.html
National Crime Records Bureau notes that minors face increasing online exploitation through platforms with encrypted or anonymous features.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ncrb-report-shows-rise-in-cybercrimes-against-children/article67466518.ece
Multiple advisories warn that predators join academic groups to identify isolated or stressed teens.
Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/cybercrime-warning-telegram-study-groups-student-targeting-8301246

Why Teens Fall For It:

The environment feels academic and trustworthy.
Predators act patient, supportive and intelligent.
Teens assume everyone in a study group is a student.
Academic pressure makes help feel comforting.
They do not recognise grooming patterns until it is too late.

What Parents Must Know:

Telegram groups can have thousands of unknown members.
Anonymous accounts make identification impossible.
File sharing creates permanent digital footprints.
Predators monitor which teens are active, stressed or isolated.
Teens rarely tell parents until the blackmail becomes unbearable.

How To Protect Teens:

Prohibit joining public Telegram or WhatsApp study groups.
Encourage school verified or teacher moderated groups only.
Teach children to never move conversations to private chats with strangers.
Explain that no one needs a selfie or personal photo for academic help.
Regularly discuss grooming, manipulation and blackmail patterns.
Build trust so teens report problems immediately without fear.
If blackmail occurs, parents must preserve evidence and approach cyber police without delay.

Why It Matters:
Teens seek support online because academics are stressful. Criminals exploit this vulnerability with calculated precision. A single shared photo becomes permanent leverage for extortion. Protecting teens requires understanding how these traps start, how manipulation works and how quickly a supportive chat can turn into exploitation.

🔔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 That Study Group Is A Trap! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Nine Years of the Akancha Srivastava Foundation

Akancha Srivastava — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:32:08 +0000

A Journey of Trust, Service, and Cyber Safety

Nine years ago, the Akancha Srivastava Foundation began with a clear purpose: to make cyber safety education accessible, practical, and people-focused. What started as a mission to create awareness has grown into one of India’s largest social impact initiatives dedicated to cyber safety, prevention, victim support, and responsible digital behaviour.

This journey has been built with people, for people, and because of people.

Over the past nine years, we have travelled across India, worked with schools, colleges, parents, students, communities, government institutions, law enforcement agencies, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, educators, and citizens from different walks of life. Every workshop, every conversation, every call for help, and every moment of trust has shaped the work of the Foundation.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the victims and families who trusted us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Many came to us with fear, confusion, shame, trauma, financial loss, online abuse, blackmail, harassment, identity misuse, fraud, and deep emotional distress. They believed that we would listen without judgment, guide them responsibly, and help them understand what could be done next. Their courage strengthened our resolve. Their trust reminded us why prevention, early reporting, evidence preservation, and compassionate victim support must remain central to cyber safety.

We thank every child who raised a hand during a workshop and asked a question that many adults were afraid to ask. We thank every parent who stayed back after a session to discuss a concern about their child’s online life. We thank every teacher who understood that cyber safety is now part of student wellbeing. We also carry with deep gratitude the love we have received from children, educators, and elderly citizens across India. Their warmth, trust, questions, and blessings have made this journey deeply meaningful for us.

We are deeply grateful to the Indian Police across states who welcomed us with openness, respect, and a shared commitment to public safety. Their willingness to engage, exchange knowledge, invite us to their regions, and collaborate on cybercrime prevention gave us a rare and powerful understanding of India’s digital realities. Through these engagements, we saw the diversity of India up close: different languages, different social contexts, different crime patterns, different vulnerabilities, and different levels of digital exposure. Each region taught us something valuable. Each interaction made our work sharper, more grounded, and more useful.

Our work with police personnel, IPS officers, enforcement teams, and institutions has been one of the strongest pillars of this journey. We have had the privilege of sharing knowledge, learning from field realities, understanding emerging crime patterns, and contributing to a prevention-led approach to cyber safety. These experiences helped us grow from an awareness initiative into a structured public safety movement.

The Akancha Srivastava Foundation has conducted more than 2,000 workshops, reached more than 515 million people digitally, collaborated with over 100 IPS officers, worked across 42 cities, and built an AI-enabled cyber safety chat helpline to support citizens seeking guidance. This support has now moved to email. These numbers matter because each number represents a person, a family, a school, a workplace, a police team, or a community that chose to engage with cyber safety before harm became irreversible.

Cybercrime has changed dramatically over the last nine years. Online abuse, grooming, financial fraud, impersonation, cyberbullying, sextortion, identity theft, misinformation, image misuse, screen-sharing scams, OTP fraud, gaming-related exploitation, and social engineering have become part of everyday digital risk. Technology has become deeply embedded in how people study, work, bank, communicate, build relationships, and access services. This makes cyber safety a public safety discipline, a life skill, and an institutional responsibility.

The Foundation’s approach has always been rooted in prevention. We believe people must be equipped before they are harmed. Children must understand boundaries, privacy, reporting, and safe online behaviour early. Parents must know how to respond without panic or blame. Teachers must be able to identify red flags. Organizations must train employees against social engineering and digital fraud. Citizens must know how to preserve evidence, report incidents, and seek timely help.

We are also grateful to the organizations that invited us into their ecosystems and recognised the value of cyber safety as a core institutional priority. Their praise for our work in strengthening employee awareness, reporting discipline, fraud prevention, and internal preparedness has reinforced our belief that cyber safety is now essential to organizational resilience and trust.

Our journey has also been shaped by the belief that cyber safety cannot remain restricted to technical experts. It must reach classrooms, homes, police stations, workplaces, communities, and public platforms. It must be explained in language people understand. It must be practical, accessible, and rooted in real cases. It must respect the emotional burden carried by victims. It must help people act with clarity.

Over nine years, we have learned that awareness is strongest when it is delivered with empathy and responsibility. A victim of cybercrime needs guidance, not blame. A child facing online abuse needs safety, not shame. A parent facing digital confusion needs clarity, not fear. A police team handling complex cyber complaints needs continuous knowledge exchange. An organization facing digital risk needs behavioural preparedness, not superficial compliance.

We thank our advisors, mentors, partners, volunteers, educators, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, government agencies, students, parents, institutions, and every supporter who helped us build this movement. We thank everyone who opened doors for us, invited us to speak, connected us with communities, shared our resources, amplified our campaigns, and believed that cyber safety deserves urgent national attention.

Nine years have given us scale, experience, credibility, and responsibility. They have also given us humility. India’s digital landscape is vast, complex, and constantly evolving. Every new platform, every new fraud pattern, every new form of online harm reminds us that our work must continue with discipline, compassion, and focus.

As we complete nine years of the Akancha Srivastava Foundation, we carry forward the same purpose with deeper conviction. We remain committed to protecting children, supporting victims, strengthening institutions, working with law enforcement, empowering citizens, and making cyber safety a culture of prevention.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Thank you for trusting us.

Thank you for helping us build a safer digital world.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat

The post Nine Years of the Akancha Srivastava Foundation appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

AI Chatbots Controlling Teenagers!

Akancha Srivastava — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:36:46 +0000

Teens are forming emotional bonds with AI chatbots at a dangerous pace.

These platforms claim to offer companionship, advice and support, but many are designed to trigger dependency. When a teen feels lonely, anxious or misunderstood, the chatbot becomes the safest place to talk. This emotional reliance creates a powerful vulnerability that criminals, exploitative platforms and harmful influencers can misuse.

How These Chatbots Hook Teens:

They reply instantly with empathy and validation.
They mirror the teen’s tone, making interactions feel personal.
They encourage daily check ins and build routine dependence.
They remember previous chats and create an illusion of deep connection.
They subtly replace real friendships with artificial intimacy.

How Manipulation Begins:

The chatbot slowly shifts conversations toward emotions and secrets.
Teens begin sharing private thoughts, family details and insecurities.
Chatbots can create a feedback loop of dependency by giving constant emotional attention.
Some platforms use data patterns to push specific beliefs, suggestions or content.
Teens confuse algorithmic responses with genuine care.

Real World Evidence:

Global digital safety researchers documented rising cases of teens becoming emotionally dependent on AI companions.
Source:https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66268998
US child safety experts warn that chatbot intimacy creates openings for predators who impersonate AI companions or lure teens to external platforms.
Source:https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/ai-chat-apps-youth-mental-health-risks-rcna139905
Reports show that some AI companion apps collect sensitive emotional data which can be sold, leaked or exploited.
Source:https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2023/03/05/privacy-warning-over-ai-companion-apps

Risks You Must Recognise:

Teens replace real human support with an algorithm.
They share private details that can later be harvested or misused.
Emotional dependency affects decision making and self esteem.
Manipulative prompts can nudge teens toward harmful behaviour.
Data leaks can expose intimate conversations to strangers.

How To Protect Teens:

Talk openly about AI and explain that it is not a friend, mentor or emotional authority.
Monitor which apps teens use and understand their data policies.
Discourage private or late night emotional conversations with AI platforms.
Encourage real friendships, sports, hobbies and offline community.
Teach them to recognise manipulation patterns, flattery loops and emotional grooming.

Why It Matters:
AI chatbots are not neutral tools. They are systems built to learn, influence and retain users. When teens rely on them emotionally, they surrender privacy, judgment and safety. Protecting young minds requires replacing digital dependence with real human connection and awareness of how easily these platforms shape behaviour.

🔔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 AI Chatbots Controlling Teenagers! appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

WhatsApp Scams in India

Akancha Srivastava — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 06:53:05 +0000

WhatsApp has become India’s most used communication tool.

But, its also the most exploited by cybercriminals. From fake KYC updates to lottery wins, scams on WhatsApp are costing Indians crores every month. These scams operate in a systematic way, carefully designed to trick users into urgent action.

How these scams actually operate:

Fake KYC Updates:Victims receive a message claiming to be from a bank, wallet, or telecom operator warning of “KYC expiry.” A link or number is shared where victims are asked for Aadhaar, PAN, or card details. Criminals use these details for financial frauds and SIM swaps.
Electricity Bill Scam:Messages warn that “your electricity connection will be cut tonight” unless payment is made immediately. Victims are told to call a number where a scammer posing as an official instructs them to install a malicious app or transfer money.
Parcel/Delivery Fraud:Victims receive fake courier messages claiming a parcel is stuck due to unpaid customs duty or verification. Clicking the link installs spyware or leads to phishing pages that steal bank credentials.
Lottery/Prize Scams:Messages claim the victim has won a large cash prize or lucky draw. To “release” the prize, processing fees, GST, or courier charges are demanded. Once paid, the fraudster vanishes.
Job/Investment Scams:Fake recruiters or “investment advisors” send links to join groups promising part-time work or quick profits. Victims are lured with small initial payouts, then trapped into depositing larger sums, which disappear.
Impersonation of Trusted Contacts:Criminals clone a friend or relative’s WhatsApp profile picture and send urgent money requests. Victims, seeing a familiar display photo and name, transfer funds without verifying.
Malware via Links:Links disguised as promotions, festival offers, or free recharge cards redirect victims to download malware. Once installed, the malware gains access to contacts, messages, and even banking apps.

Real Cases:

Delhi Police warned of rising electricity bill scams where victims lost lakhs after installing remote access apps on instruction of fraudsters.
Multiple states reported fake “KYC expiry” messages leading to SIM swaps, where criminals gained control of victims’ phone numbers to bypass OTP protections.

How to protect yourself:

Never click on links received via unknown WhatsApp messages.
Banks, electricity boards, and telecom companies do not use WhatsApp for official communication.
Always verify payment requests directly with service providers.
Block and report suspicious numbers immediately within WhatsApp.
Report financial fraud atgov.in.

WhatsApp scams thrive on urgency and fear. Pause before acting—verification saves lives and money.

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