Bomb rumors in Indian planes, social media warn of ‘consequential action’

India has warned social media platforms of ‘consequential action’ after hundreds of fake bomb threats to airlines this month.

According to the French news agency AFP, various Indian airlines have received hundreds of threats to blow up their planes, after which panic has spread in the country.

The Indian government has warned social media platforms of consequential action under the law if they do not comply with the order to immediately remove false information.

The government said in a statement on Saturday that ‘malicious acts like fake bomb threats to airlines pose a potential threat to the public order and security of the state.’

“Such fake bombings affect a large number of citizens as well as destabilize the country’s economic security,” the statement added.

The government warning did not name any social media company, but cited an advisory notice from the Ministry of Information Technology.

The Ministry of Information says that the spread of such fake threats has become alarmingly uncontrolled due to the availability of forwarding/resharing/reposting/retweeting option on social media platforms.

The statement added that companies must report any crime that threatens the country’s unity, integrity, sovereignty, security or economic security and cooperate with government agencies to assist in investigations.

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, various airlines have received at least 275 threats since mid-October.

Some media outlets believe that the number is around 400.

Planes were diverted to Canada and Germany in view of some threats, while fighter jets in the UK and Singapore protected the passenger plane.

Last Saturday, a 25-year-old unemployed man from New Delhi was arrested for making fake bomb threats.

This is the second arrest since the series of threats against airlines started last week.