Operation Sindoor: Indian govt steps up fight against misinformation, over 1,000 posts flagged daily since Pahalgam attack

Government has been taking action on misinformation and fake news on social media

India is ordering the removal of more than 1,000 pieces of misinformation and disinformation from social media platforms each day following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, a source in the know of the matter said.

The source added that takedown orders are being issued under Section 69A of the IT Act, which empowers the central government to block content on grounds such as the sovereignty and integrity of India, the defense of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, and public order.

“We are taking action on a number of social media handles that are spreading misinformation and disinformation — the numbers are consistently north of 1,000 every day,” the official said.

The spike in malicious content has led to high-level meeting between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), and key social media intermediaries, Moneycontrol has learnt. The meeting happened virtually.

The focus of these meetings was to ensure faster compliance with government takedown requests and proactive monitoring by platforms, Moneycontrol understands.

Meanwhile, since the the Pahalgam terror attack, the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check unit has intensified its efforts to combat misinformation, and over the the past fortnight, the agency has identified and debunked at least 15 instances of false claims pertaining to the current situation.

They have addressed:

• False reports alleging the removal of Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar from his position.
• Circulation of counterfeit letters purportedly from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
• Bogus claims regarding the cancellation of government exams.
• Misleading information about the deployment of armed forces.

The crackdown on disinformation comes amid broader efforts by the government to strengthen its cyber posture and information security following the attack, and the May 7 Operation Sindoor, in which India targeted terrorist cells in Pakistan.