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Cyber Vulnerability and its Challenges in Rural India
Misinformation and cyber fraud represent increasingly pervasive threats in rural India, where digital literacy remains limited, and access to secure financial platforms is still in its developmental stages. The intersection of technology and rural socio-economic conditions has led to a growing number of vulnerable populations falling victim to fraud. This case study focuses on Yogita […]
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The Curious Case of Cyber Fraud at the Grassroots in India
Cyber fraud is a growing menace in rural India, as rapid digitalisation outpaces the spread of digital literacy. Vulnerable communities often fall prey to sophisticated scams that exploit their limited understanding of online safety. Badla village in Jharkhand is a case in point, where a resident, Sasita Oraon, was defrauded of INR 58,000 in a […]
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Hacking Realities: Rural Women and Misinformation Dogma
As social media usage rapidly expands across rural India, it opens new channels of communication and interaction but simultaneously creates opportunities for cybercrime. The perils of digital misuse, including the hacking of social media accounts, are becoming more apparent in rural regions, where many users lack sufficient knowledge of cybersecurity protocols. This case study examines […]
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(Ph)ishing the Vulnerable: Exploring Critical Digital Literacy Gaps
The cyber fraud incident began when Reena received a phone call from a person claiming to be a senior officer from the “toilet head office” in Lucknow. The caller informed Reena that her household had been approved for a toilet under a government scheme worth ₹36,000. Initially sceptical, Reena questioned the validity of the claim, […]
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Unpacking Digital Misinformation and Cultural Vulnerabilities in Rural India
The village of Siyadih is situated in Handia Block, Uttar Pradesh, and is primarily inhabited by women, many of whom are from marginalised communities. The socio-economic conditions of this rural area are representative of much of rural India, where low levels of education and digital literacy, combined with deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs, contribute to […]
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Fraud in DayLight
Nonar, a small village in Sakaldhia Block of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, represents the socio-economic realities of much of rural India. The population is predominantly engaged in agricultural activities and daily wage labour. Many households in Nonar, like that of Reshma, are dependent on the income of male family members who work in urban centres […]
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Digital Deception and the Multiverse of Online Fallacies
Devpura is a small village inhabited by around 700 people from the Banjara community, a traditionally nomadic group classified as a Scheduled Tribe in India. Ashok Banjara’s experience represents the intersection of two crucial issues faced by marginalised communities in rural India—digital vulnerability and cyber fraud. As the sole breadwinner of his family, Ashok, who […]
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Combating Digital Frauds and Misinformation in Marginalised Communities
The rapid digitalisation of India has brought unprecedented access to information and communication, particularly in rural areas. However, it has also led to an increase in digital vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalised and socio-economically disadvantaged communities. This case study examines the work of Rekha Sen, a resident of Ratangarh in the Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, […]
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Digital Deceit and (Dis)empowerment: The Impact of Cyber Fraud on Rural Women in Rajasthan
In the digital age, the rapid proliferation of technology has brought about numerous opportunities, but it has also introduced new risks, especially for individuals in rural areas with limited digital awareness. This case study focuses on Poonam, a resident of Batesra village in the Ramgarh block of Alwar district, Rajasthan. Despite being an information-savvy individual, […]