Government Directs Social Media Platforms to Combat Hoax Bomb Threats
New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a strong directive to social media platforms, urging them to step up efforts in preventing the spread of hoax bomb threats and other malicious misinformation that endanger public safety and order.
The advisory emphasizes the need for social media companies to strictly adhere to their responsibilities under the IT Rules, 2021 by swiftly removing any content that could disrupt public security or order. MeitY stated that the ability to forward, re-share, and re-post content has facilitated the rapid, widespread circulation of hoax bomb threats, which are causing serious disruptions to airline operations and compromising the safety of travelers and the public.
“Social media platforms must immediately take necessary action under the IT Rules, 2021, ensuring that no user is permitted to host, upload, disseminate, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any unlawful or false information,” the ministry stated in the advisory.
According to MeitY, the unchecked spread of such hoaxes, often enabled by forwarding and re-posting features, has magnified the issue, creating substantial risks. The advisory notes that bomb hoaxes and other misleading threats are creating confusion and insecurity, particularly within airline operations and other sensitive sectors. The government is urging social media companies to act decisively in flagging and removing such content to maintain public order.
In addition to content moderation, MeitY underscored the need for social media intermediaries to work closely with law enforcement and authorized agencies. This cooperation includes sharing information critical for the “prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution” of offenses that may arise from such misinformation.
With the spread of false threats posing a rising challenge, the government’s advisory seeks to reinforce social media accountability and protect public safety by controlling the dissemination of misleading information across digital platforms.
