Centre Asks All Social Media Intermediaries To Remove All Bomb Hoax Content, Cooperate With Probe Agencies

The Government has issued an advisory to curb hoax bomb threats on social media platforms and directed social media intermediaries to promptly remove hoaxes, report threats, and cooperate with authorities.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in a statement, said that social media intermediaries must adhere to the IT Act, 2000, the IT Rules, 2021, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

It also added that, as part of due diligence obligations, it is the responsibility of concerned intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to take necessary action under the IT Rules, 2021, without delay.

The Ministry has reiterated that intermediaries are required to provide relevant information and assistance to authorized government agencies within 72 hours to aid in investigations or cybersecurity efforts.