'Remove hoax bomb threats or face legal consequences': Indian govt warns social media platforms

The ministry cautioned that non-compliance with IT Rules might lead to the loss of safe harbour protection under the IT Act, a provision currently shielding platforms from legal liability for third-party content posted on their 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]," stated the ministry in an official release.

"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.

In the last 10 days, over 250 hoax bomb threats primarily via social media have disrupted India’s domestic aviation industry, affecting flights from airlines like Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet.

Similar threats have been reported in hotels, schools, and other establishments.

The IT Ministry’s advisory also instructed all social media platforms to furnish information regarding these threats to law enforcement 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 stated.

Earlier this week, airport authorities in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Jharsuguda received bomb threat alerts for certain flights, which later proved to be hoaxes.

Following the standard protocol, the airport premises and specific planes named in the threats were thoroughly inspected, and security was heightened after the incident.