Advisory Issued Against Misinformation Threatening National Security
Mumbai, May 10 – In a decisive move to combat misinformation during the ongoing military tensions between India and Pakistan, Maharashtra Cyber has taken down around 5,000 social media posts that contained fake news and misleading content, officials confirmed on Saturday.The removed posts allegedly included false information about Indian Army movements, strategic military operations, and retaliatory actions related to the conflict. Officials warned that such content poses a significant risk to national security and could potentially escalate the volatile situation.
Crackdown on Digital Misinformation
The state cybercrime detection agency, which has been monitoring online platforms closely, issued official notices to remove the harmful content. “Taking serious cognisance of these developments, the agency acted swiftly to eliminate misinformation and maintain a secure information ecosystem,” an official said.Maharashtra Cyber also released a public advisory, urging citizens to be vigilant and responsible while engaging with conflict-related content online. The agency emphasized that spreading unverified information, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is a punishable offence under Indian law.
Public Responsibility Stressed
“The department remains fully committed to ensuring a trustworthy digital space,” the official added. “We are actively coordinating with platform operators and enforcement agencies to curb the spread of fake narratives.”In its statement, Maharashtra Cyber appealed to the public to rely only on authorised sources for updates and to report any suspicious or misleading content to the authorities.
Misinformation: A National Threat
With tensions high and emotions running strong, the agency reminded citizens of their critical role in preserving national unity and security through responsible online behaviour.“Refrain from sharing unverified content, especially during times of national importance,” the statement urged, highlighting the danger of digital misinformation in amplifying fear, confusion, and unrest.
