Indian actor Rashmika Mandanna becomes national brand ambassador for cyber safety

Popular Indian film actor Rashmika Mandanna has been appointed as the national brand ambassador for the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched this initiative to tackle the growing threat of cyber crimes in India.

Mandanna’s new role highlights the urgency of increasing public awareness about cyber safety and the dangers associated with digital platforms.

Mandanna’s personal experience with cybercrime

Mandanna's appointment comes after she herself was a victim of cybercrime. Earlier, a deepfake video featuring her was circulated online, which not only caused her distress but also brought attention to the alarming misuse of advanced AI technology.

This incident sparked wider discussions about the risks posed by deepfakes and the need to protect individuals from malicious digital content manipulation. Mandanna’s personal experience has made her a vocal advocate for cyber safety, making her a fitting choice for this role.

Mandanna’s campaign focus

In her capacity as the national ambassador for I4C, Rashmika Mandanna will lead several nationwide campaigns aimed at educating the public about different aspects of cybercrime. These campaigns will focus on:

1. Deepfake Technology: Educating people about how deepfakes are made and the dangers they pose.
2. Cyber Bullying: Highlighting the emotional and psychological impact of online harassment.
3. Financial Frauds: Informing the public about online financial scams and how to avoid them.
4. Online Scams: Raising awareness about different types of online scams and the preventive measures individuals can take.

Mandanna, with her massive online presence of over 44 million followers on Instagram and nearly 5 million on X, is expected to effectively reach a broad audience, making her an influential figure in spreading the message of cyber safety.

Cyber dost initiative welcomes Mandanna

The Cyber Dost initiative, managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, has welcomed Mandanna's involvement enthusiastically. Cyber Dost, a platform dedicated to cyber safety and security awareness, announced her appointment on X, saying, “Excited to be onboard the pan-India star @iamRashmika as I4C’s National Brand Ambassador. We are joining forces to fortify India’s digital landscape; we’ll tackle cybercrimes head-on.”

Excited to onboard the pan-India star @iamRashmika as I4C's National Brand Ambassador. We are joining forces to fortify India's digital landscape, we'll tackle cybercrimes head-on. Always remember,

"छोड़कर लालच, लापरवाही और डर
सोच-समझकर क्लिक कर”#RashmikaMandannaWithI4C pic.twitter.com/vRJCfsza9L

— Cyber Dost (@Cyberdost) October 15, 2024

The collaboration aims to strengthen efforts to safeguard the digital spaces of India by enhancing coordination and providing resources to law enforcement agencies.

Mandanna’s message on cyber safety

Speaking about her new role, Rashmika Mandanna expressed her dedication to raising awareness about the issues surrounding cyber crimes.

“Cybercrime is a dangerous and pervasive threat that affects individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide. As someone who has experienced this, I am dedicated to raising awareness about these issues and promoting the message of cyber safety to drive positive change. It is crucial that we come together to combat these threats and protect our digital spaces,” she said.