The recent action taken by the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry against the social media accounts on the charge of indulging in activities detrimental to India’s national and global interests is a step in the right direction, but – given the enormity of the threat – capacity building is necessary to counter such organised online campaigns, according to security agencies and experts.
The I&B Ministry has so far blocked 78 YouTube-based channels and multiple Twitter and Facebook accounts for allegedly spreading fake news and coordinated disinformation on issues sensitive from the perspective of national security, foreign relations and public order. A few days ago, 22 YouTube-based news channels – which had a cumulative viewership of about 262 crore – were blocked.
All the previously blocked channels were from Pakistan, while 18 of the 22 new ones were from India. “In most cases, we have found that entities operating from Pakistan and their conduits in other countries are involved,” an agency official said.
