Following a series of fake bomb threats targeting Indian airlines in recent weeks, primarily communicated through anonymous social media accounts, the IT ministry has urged platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X to swiftly remove access to such misinforming content. The ministry emphasised that neglecting this responsibility could jeopardise these companies' legal protections against hosting third-party material.
The Ministry in an advisory issued to social media companies noted, “Social media intermediaries must make reasonable efforts to disallow such malicious acts including hoax bomb threats from being disseminated on their platforms.”
Ministry Asks For Details Of Hoax Posts & Users
The ministry has also requested that these companies provide details about such posts and users to the government within 72 hours, in accordance with the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021. Additionally, under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, these companies are obligated to report specific offences committed by users that may pose a threat to India’s national security and economic interests.
The advisory read, “The IT Rules, 2021 obligates the intermediaries to provide information under its control or possession, or assistance to the government… for the purposes of verification of identity, or for the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution, of offences under any law for the time being in force, or for cyber security incidents, well within the stipulated time frames (as soon as possible but not later than 72 hours).”
It added, “Multiple hoax bomb threats have been received by various airlines operating in India through various means including social media intermediaries during the last few days. Airline travellers and security agencies are being affected due to such hoax bomb threats that disrupt the normal course of operations of the airlines.”
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In the past 11 days, Indian airlines, including Air India, Indigo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, have reported over 250 bomb threats originating from anonymous social media accounts. In response, these airlines have raised concerns with the government regarding the source of these threats. While the majority of such threats are eventually deemed hoaxes, both airlines and global aviation authorities treat them with the utmost seriousness.
If a threat is acted upon, enhanced security checks after landing can take several hours, leading to significant disruptions, including delays and potential rescheduling of subsequent flights, all of which have financial repercussions for the airlines.
Additionally, government agencies are reportedly collaborating with social media platforms and virtual private network (VPN) providers to identify and apprehend those responsible for these threats.