On May 16, 2025, Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old YouTuber from Hisar, Haryana, was taken into custody on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.
She oversaw the 'Travel with JO' YouTube channel, which focused on travel.
According to Haryana Police, she was being developed as an asset by Pakistani intelligence agents.
During the four-day military conflict that followed the terror incident in Pahalgam on April 22, she kept in touch with a Pakistani officer stationed at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
She has connections to other YouTube stars who had connections to PIOs.
According to authorities, enlisting influencers is a kind of warfare used to advance particular narratives.
Social media awareness is crucial because influencers can be intentionally or unintentionally used by foreign intelligence.
When required, influencers with global links should be flagged for background checks.
YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms should be used by law enforcement to monitor suspicious activity in real time.
Modern espionage tools and enhanced digital surveillance should be reflected in updated laws without violating people's right to privacy.
Influencers should receive training on content responsibility as part of digital literacy initiatives.
It also demonstrates how people, frequently oblivious to wider repercussions, may jeopardize the interests of the country in the name of fame, wealth, or influence.
Betrayal by insiders weakens social bonds and increases mistrust in communities.
Loyalty to moral principles and the wellbeing of the country is still crucial in these situations.