The Indian government has raised concerns over the rising number of fake bomb threats targeting airlines, which pose a significant threat to public order and economic stability. In response, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory on Friday, instructing social media platforms to remove misinformation related to such threats immediately.
The advisory emphasized that these hoaxes disrupt airline operations, cause undue panic, and strain security agencies.
The Ministry warned social media companies that if they fail to take swift action to remove such content, they risk losing the intermediary protections granted under the Information Technology Act.
These protections shield platforms from liability for third-party content, but they are conditional upon platforms adhering to due diligence responsibilities. Failure to act on these hoaxes could be interpreted as aiding in the commission of an unlawful act, further intensifying the government’s stance.
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MeitY highlighted how the wide availability of sharing, reposting, and forwarding features on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has contributed to the rapid spread of these bomb hoaxes. It noted that the disruption caused by such misinformation not only affects the safety and security of air travelers but also poses a significant threat to the economic security of the nation.
In recent weeks, airlines and security agencies have been burdened by multiple false bomb threats, leading to delays, unnecessary evacuations, and heightened security checks. The government reiterated the importance of social media platforms playing a proactive role in combating the spread of such harmful content to maintain public order and protect the aviation sector.
