As India grapples with a wave of hoax bomb threats, the government is turning its attention to social media platforms, demanding stricter measures to prevent such incidents.
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| India warns social media platforms after a surge in hoax bomb threats to airlines, causing widespread disruption and security concerns. Image Courtesy: Air India |
New Delhi, India – October 27, 2024:
The Indian government has issued a stern warning to social media platforms following a wave of hoax bomb threats that have disrupted air travel and sparked security concerns. The government has threatened "consequential action" if platforms fail to promptly remove misinformation and cooperate with investigations.
Hundreds of false bomb threats have been made against Indian airlines since mid-October, leading to flight diversions, security alerts, and significant disruptions to air travel. Some threats even prompted fighter jets to escort civilian aircraft.
The Indian government has expressed deep concern over the "dangerously unrestrained" spread of these threats on social media platforms. It has emphasized that such hoaxes not only inconvenience passengers but also pose a threat to national security and economic stability.
The government's warning comes as India has been increasingly scrutinizing social media platforms for content that it deems harmful or subversive. The country has a history of requesting the removal of content critical of the government, and this latest move further underscores its efforts to regulate online discourse.
While the government's warning did not explicitly name any social media platform, it cited an advisory from the information technology ministry that highlighted the role of platforms in the spread of misinformation. The ministry emphasized the need for platforms to take proactive measures to prevent the dissemination of such harmful content and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
As India grapples with this issue, it remains to be seen how social media platforms will respond to the government's demands. The balance between free speech and national security is a complex one, and this case will likely have significant implications for online discourse in India and beyond.