The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an advisory urging social media platforms to curb the spread of hoax bomb threats, especially those targeting airlines in India.
This directive highlights intermediaries’ responsibilities under the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, to remove unlawful content swiftly and maintain public safety.
The advisory follows an increase in hoax bomb threats directed at airlines, which the ministry has identified as a significant risk to public order, economic security, and the stability of the state. According to the ministry, such hoax bomb threats while affecting a large number of citizens also destabilize the economic security of the country, pointing to the extensive reach of misinformation amplified through social media platforms’ re-sharing options. Unchecked forwarding and reposting on these platforms contribute to the unrestrained spread of false information, resulting in disruptions to airline operations and public order.
Under the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021, social media platforms and intermediaries are obligated to exercise “due diligence” to prevent the spread of harmful content. These platforms are responsible for promptly removing or disabling access to any unlawful or false information impacting public security.
Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in the loss of legal protections provided under Section 79 of the IT Act, which shields intermediaries from liability for third-party content if they comply with due diligence requirements. The advisory further warns that non-compliance may result in penalties under additional legal frameworks, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
MeitY emphasized that intermediaries must act decisively to curb the circulation of hoax bomb threats, stating, it is the responsibility of concerned intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to promptly take necessary action under the IT Rules, 2021, by not allowing any user to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any unlawful or false information.
Key Responsibilities Outlined
The advisory reiterates specific responsibilities for social media platforms, including:
- Timely Removal of Misinformation: Platforms must act promptly to disable or remove access to false information, including hoax bomb threats, within strict timelines.
- Reporting Offenses Under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023: Intermediaries must report activities that could threaten the unity, integrity, sovereignty, security, or economic interests of India.
- Collaboration with Government Agencies: Platforms are required to assist authorized government agencies by providing relevant information within stipulated timeframes, with a response time of no later than 72 hours, to support investigations and cybersecurity initiatives.
In alignment with these measures, MeitY directed major platforms like Meta and X to share information on hoax-related calls and messages. “The government has told social media companies Meta and X to share data pertaining to such hoax calls and messages made on their platforms targeting several airlines and asked them to cooperate,” an official stated last week, adding that “they will have to cooperate and provide data since this involves public good at large.”
This advisory underscores MeitY’s commitment to tackling threats to public safety and cybersecurity by requiring social media platforms to adhere strictly to legal obligations while supporting government agencies in protecting citizens.
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