Rising reliance on technology brings cybersecurity, deepfake and misinformation risks: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday cautioned that the rapidly increasing dependence on technology poses serious challenges, including cybersecurity threats, deepfakes and misinformation, even as technological innovations continue to drive growth and transformation.

Addressing the Black Swan Summit India, organised by the Odisha government in collaboration with the Global Finance and Technology Network, the President said technological change is occurring at an unprecedented pace, often outstripping the ability of systems, skills and business models to adapt.

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While underscoring the positive impact of technology on innovation and economic growth, she said platforms like the Black Swan Summit provide an opportunity to explore ways to leverage technology for skilling, employment generation and accelerating digital and financial transformation.

Referring to India’s fintech revolution over the past decade, President Murmu noted that direct benefit transfers and digital payments have become commonplace among farmers, small traders and women. “For them, fintech is not a technical term but a lifeline,” she said.

She emphasised that India’s fintech journey should also be seen as a story of gender justice, stressing the need to view women not merely as end users but as leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs in the digital ecosystem. Every new platform or policy, she said, must be evaluated on whether it enables women’s active participation.

The President cautioned that fintech alone does not guarantee inclusion, as many people in remote, tribal and rural areas still lack digital literacy. Skilling such communities is essential to make fintech a true engine of inclusion, employment and entrepreneurship.

Highlighting the misuse of technology in financial frauds, she called for greater public awareness and vigilance. She cited government initiatives such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, and urged that digital and financial literacy be included in school curricula to build early awareness of both the benefits and risks of technology.