Remove hoax bomb threats or be held liable, Centre tells social media platforms

The IT Ministry has warned social media platforms to promptly remove hoax bomb threat misinformation or face liability, as India's aviation sector grapples with over 250 recent false alarms.

In Short

• Hoax bomb threats disrupt airlines, hotels, schools and other establishments
• Over 250 flights of Air India, IndiGo and others hit by hoax threats in 10 days
• Centre asks social media platforms to share info with police within 72 hours

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an advisory to all social media platforms, asking them to adhere to provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Rules and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and make "reasonable efforts" to 'promptly' take down bomb threat posts or else "be held liable".

The ministry has cautioned online platforms that failure to comply with the IT Rules could result in the loss of their safe harbour protection under the IT Act. The provision currently shields platforms from legal liability for third-party content posted on their social media platforms.

"Airline travellers and security agencies are being affected due to such hoax bomb threats that disrupt the normal course of operations of the Airlines. The instances of malicious acts in the form of hoax bomb threats to such airlines lead to potential threat to the public order & security of the state [sic]," the IT Ministry said in an official statement.

"Such hoax bomb threats while affecting a large number of citizens also destabilises the economic security of the country. Further, the scale of spread of such hoax bomb threats has been observed to be dangerously unrestrained due to the availability of the option of 'forwarding/re-sharing/ re-posting/ re-tweeting' on the social media platforms," it added.

Over 250 flights, including those of Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet and others, were hit by over 250 hoax bomb threats, mostly through social media, in the last 10 days, bringing turbulence to India's domestic aviation industry. Even hotels, schools, hotels and other establishments have also received similar warning.

In its advisory, the IT Ministry also stated that all social media platforms will have to provide information on the matter to law enforcement agencies within 72 hours.

"In addition to the above, the IT Rules, 2021 obligates the intermediaries to provide information under its control or possession, or assistance to the Government agency which is lawfully authorised for investigative or protective or cyber security activities, 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 timeframes (as soon as possible but not later than 72 hours)," it said.

Earlier this week, the authorities of Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda airports received threats about the presence of bombs on different flights but those later turned out to be a hoax. Security was beefed up at the airport after the incident.

As per standard protocol, the airport premises were checked. Some planes which were mentioned in the threat were also taken to the isolation bay and thoroughly checked, an official said, adding it turned out to be a hoax.