New Delhi: With overwhelming reviews, responses on social media on a day-to-day basis triggering rows, the Central government has directed social media companies to ensure their platforms are not used misused to spread content against the nation.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had asked search company Google and its video platform YouTube to take down videos related to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was captured by Pakistan during the aerial combat on February 26, Inc42 reports.
According to reports, the MeitY had asked YouTube to remove 11 specific video links which had the potential to incite public order and peace in the country.
The ministry also directed search giant Google to ensure similar videos are removed and also share a compliance report.
This move taken by the government could contain the misinformation, fake news, posts fueling India-Pakistan’s current crisis.
Tweets with hashtags such as #BalakotAirStrike, #BringbackAbhinandan, #SayNoToWar, #MiG21, #F16, #PakFakeClaim #PakistanPM has also been trending across the internet.
According to Jency Jacob, the managing editor of fact-checking website BOOM, there was a lot of panic in the social media sites after Pakistan took an aggressive stance.
Tensions between the two countries have become sour after the recent Pulwama attack where CRPF convoy was attacked by Pakistan- based Jaish-e-mohammed terrorist outfit which left 40 jawans dead.
Responding to the attack, India conducted a surgical strike on Pakistan 12 days after the terror attack.
Containing and controlling spread of fake news, misinformation is the need of the hour failing which these posts will only incite more aggressiveness among the countries.