Govt asks social networks to take down red-flagged posts, disinformation without delay

Within hours of conducting 'Operation Sindoor', the Centre has activated a two-pronged approach to check cyber warfare and 'disinformation' and 'fake news' being propagated on social media platforms, ET has learnt.

On the threat of 'disinformation', ET gathers that the Centre held meetings with top executives from social media platforms and apps on Wednesday where it emphasised the urgent need to check fake news and propaganda being peddled by foreign and other entities. Reminding of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Centre is learnt to have asked social media intermediaries to fast track processes and pro-actively block and take down offensive content, ET has learnt. Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, empowers the Indian government to block information from public access under specific conditions like interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, state security, friendly relations with foreign states, public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to the above.

Social media platforms were asked to ensure that there are no delays in checking 'disinformation' and propaganda against India's security operations and other steps being undertaken in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, ET has learnt. They were sensitised to the problem of multiple handles/posts mushrooming with identical content, the moment a red-flagged one is taken down. Social media platforms were asked to take sou moto action and takedown such content at the earliest. It is gathered that all social media intermediaries largely agreed to act promptly on the concerns raised.

A mechanism has also been developed involving the Ministries of Home Affairs, Information & Broadcasting and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology among others, to identify posts/handles/groups propagating and amplifying disinformation and flag these to the concerned social media intermediaries, ET has learnt.

This mechanism was put into effect soon after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and has helped red flag several such posts and handles. ET gathers that over a thousand such posts/handles were red-flagged to social media intermediaries in the last one week amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan.