India warns social media over fake bomb threat

(CLO) India has warned social networks after hundreds of fake plane bomb threats spread, causing chaos in aviation and tourism activities, threatening national security.

In a statement on October 26, the Indian government said: "Malicious acts, in the form of fake bomb threats against airlines, are likely to pose a threat to public order and security of the state. Such fake bomb threats not only affect a large number of citizens but also destabilize the economic security of the country."

The Indian government has called the spread of bomb threats on social media "extremely dangerous and uncontrollable", warning that social media platforms will be punished under the law if they fail to comply with "immediate removal of false information".

Illustration photo: AP

Recently, a number of bomb threats have caused planes to be diverted to Canada and Germany, and fighter jets have been deployed to escort planes over the UK and Singapore.

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, at least 275 fake bomb threats have been made since mid-October. Other Indian media outlets have suggested the number could be closer to 400.

Civil aviation authorities have been forced to check every threatened flight. Many flights have been threatened by messages posted on social network X, formerly Twitter.

The Indian government's warning did not name any social media companies, but cited an advisory notice from the Ministry of Information Technology.

“The scale of the spread of fake bomb threats is extremely serious because of the availability of features such as ‘forward/reshare/repost/retweet’ on social media platforms,” the ministry said.

The notice said companies must report any crimes that “may threaten the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security or economic security” of the country, and cooperate promptly with government agencies to assist in investigations.

Earlier this week, the Indian government said it was discussing “legislative action” to amend aviation and aircraft security laws, to make those making such threats a serious offence with longer prison sentences.

Ngoc Anh (according to AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/an-do-canh-bao-cac-mang-xa-hoi-vi-lan-truyen-loi-de-doa-danh-bom-gia-post318677.html