Ideaz

Problem Statement:

Misinformation spreads rapidly through social media, forwarded messages and the internet.

Unknowingly, people read and share such content without verifying it, which leads to confusion, panic or spreading of false rhetorics.

Highlight gaps in the current solutions/market:

1.  Limited reach in messaging apps
2.  Lack of accessibility and ease of use 

Solution:

A browser extension for young adults seamlessly integrated with a whatsapp chatbot, primarily aimed for the older generation, which flags content as verified, partially verified, false, unverified.

Key Features:

1. For the browser extension: As users browse posts, tweets, and news articles, the extension checks the content on your screen against trusted fact-checking databases and government run portals.
2. For the whatsapp chatbot: All the user has to do is forward the messages or links to the bot. The bot then scans this content and gives its verdict.
3. Gives a credibility score to each article, post, message etc. ,so other users are also benefited.
4. Instantly provides the user with the option to flag and report the message which battles misinformation.

Beneficiaries:

1. General Public/Social media users: Reduces the risk of sharing fake news online drastically. 
2. Whatsapp users: This helps protect friends, family and your local community from false information.

Impact:

1. It reduces the spread of misinformation.
2. Also, educates users on how to properly evaluate credibility of sources.
3. It contributes to the long term goal of responsible sharing and building a culture of critical thinking.

Why this matters to me:

In today’s world, information is currency. A lot of us spend a lot of time online on social media or texting. Everyday, I see people around me and even myself occasionally share information without knowing if it’s completely true. FactMate is important to me because it helps us in making informed decisions and avoid falling for such false claims. It’s a way to protect truth and promote critical thinking in the information we consume and share daily.

Problem it Solves:

Students today live most of their lives online attending classes, applying for internships, paying fees, shopping, and socializing. Unfortunately, many fall victim to scams, phishing links, unsafe apps, weak passwords, and account hacking. Once hacked, students often lose not just money but also personal data, which can affect their academics, careers, and even mental health.

Current Market Gap:

While antivirus software and password managers exist, most are either too complex or too expensive for students. Free solutions don’t provide real-time scam detection or personalized guidance. What’s missing is an affordable, student-friendly cybersecurity companion that proactively protects students and teaches them safe online habits.

My Solution:

A mobile app called CyberSakhi, designed as a personal digital guardian. It uses AI to detect phishing links, fake internship/job portals, and unsafe apps in real time. If a student is about to click on something suspicious, CyberSakhi immediately alerts them. It also includes features like password vaults, dark web monitoring for leaked data, and short daily tips on safe online behavior. The app is simple, runs quietly in the background, and only steps in when there’s a risk.

Who Benefits:

• Students → stay safe online, avoid scams, protect accounts and money.

• Parents → peace of mind knowing their children’s digital lives are secure.

• Universities → fewer cyber complaints and safer student networks.

• Society → builds a culture of cybersecurity awareness from a young age.

Business Model:

CyberSakhi is offered as a freemium app: core safety features (phishing alerts, scam detection) are free, while premium features (dark web monitoring, family accounts, advanced protection) are available at a low-cost subscription.

Why This Matters to Me:

As students, we are constantly online but rarely trained in how to protect ourselves. CyberSakhi is not just a tool but a confidence booster, letting students focus on learning and growing without fear of scams or hacks. I want to solve this because digital safety is no longer optional, it’s a basic need in today’s world.