Fake news is a menace in India more than any country says Microsoft survey
- Country:
- India
- United States
Internet users in the country are more likely to encounter fake news online than the global average and social circles are increasingly spreading risks, says a global survey. The Microsoft survey, covering 22 countries and coming a few months ahead of the general elections, shows that as many as 64 percent of the Indians surveyed have encountered fake news as against the global average of 57 percent.
The country is ahead of the global average on Internet hoaxes with 54 percent of those surveyed reporting so and also instances of phishing or spoofing at 42 percent, Microsoft said in a statement Tuesday. Interestingly, the survey finds that there has been a sharp 9 percentage points increase in family and friends spreading online risks to 29 percent.
"Social circles became riskier in India," the survey said, adding the jump to 29 percent has taken the country a little over the global average. Indians are also higher than global average when it comes to reporting of severe pain from online risks, with 52 percent saying so as against the global average of 28 percent.
In what only complicates the matter, the country saw increased consequences from risks and little positive action taken following online risk exposure, the survey said. "Indians match the worldwide trend for consequences and were more likely to say that they were stressed and lost sleep in the latest year versus the previous year's study," the survey said.
India also showed drop in positive actions taken following online risk exposure and are less likely to pause before replying to someone whom they disagreed with online. Millennials and teenagers are the hardest hit by online risks and also sought help online, it said.
(With inputs from agencies.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Indian cuisine
- Mumbai Indians
- Indians in Kuwait
- Microsoft Flow
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Edge
- Love Someone
- Someone Like You
- When You Love Someone
- All in the Family
- Friends Will Be Friends
- We Are Your Friends
- Thomas & Friends
- Noticias Caracol
- Caracol Televisión
- Trait theory
- Summer camp
- Interpersonal relationship
- Social media
- Indians
ALSO READ
"Pacific family committed to enhancing relations with India": New Zealand Dy PM
ED carries out fresh searches against ex-Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prajapati, family
ED raids 13 places in UP, Maharashtra, Delhi in sand mining case against ex-UP Minister Gayatri Prajapati, his family
Rishabh Pant hails India youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, says "He is someone who likes..."
My belief aligns with BJP’s vision for India''s development: scion of erstwhile Mysuru royal family