Delhi Police have registered four FIRs against social media handles allegedly spreading false narratives and rumours regarding protests in the capital, with several Pakistan-based accounts under scrutiny for disseminating misleading information and attempting to create an 'anti-India narrative'.
The survey states that while around 71.6 per cent of women believe that social media offers adequate information about menstruation, only 11.5 per cent rely on it as their primary source during menstrual emergencies.
Delhi Police are actively monitoring social media platforms to combat the spread of misinformation during protests in the capital, leading to the removal of approximately 300 posts. This action follows the arrest of a man for creating a fabricated AI video and includes requests to platform X for content removal.
Government departments are establishing Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to promptly address and counter misleading or fake content circulating on social media. These teams will monitor digital platforms, verify information, and coordinate with fact-checking units to ensure timely and accurate responses to misinformation, with some ministries already having formed their QRTs.
Delhi Police is conducting an extensive investigation into the July 20 clashes, utilising thousands of videos, social media broadcasts, and mobile phone records to identify culprits and determine if the violence was pre-planned. The probe also focuses on identifying over 480 Pakistan-based social media handles allegedly spreading misinformation to instigate students during the protests.
Delhi Police has initiated legal action against social media accounts spreading rumours and misleading content related to the Uttam Nagar murder case, including a viral video seeking financial donations. Authorities have frozen a suspect bank account containing nearly Rs 37 lakh and are working with social media platforms to remove inflammatory content.
Police in Mathura have filed a case against nine social media accounts for allegedly posting old videos to malign the reputation of the Lathmar Holi festival.
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a Muslim cleric from Deoband for allegedly sharing inflammatory content on social media and maintaining contacts with individuals in Pakistan.
Manipur's police chief, Mukesh Singh, has issued a stern warning against individuals taking the law into their own hands or firing at security forces, stating they will be dealt with strictly. He also highlighted efforts to recover looted weapons and combat social media misinformation.
Police in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir have arrested three individuals for allegedly spreading misinformation and rumours on social media platforms with the intention of disrupting public peace and order.
PTI Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi emphasised that democracy thrives on citizens who question everything, not those who blindly believe or disbelieve. Speaking at 'Media Conclave 2026', he highlighted the challenges posed by social media, the focus on speed over verification, and AI-generated fake content, stressing the importance of media credibility for informed decision-making.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee has questioned the lack of arrests of BJP leaders associated with the Chorbagan Durga Puja committee following a stampede that killed 19 people. He alleged that police are instead targeting citizens who question the government, while Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned against "fake narratives" and police made an arrest for spreading misinformation. Banerjee accused the police administration of being exploited for political gain and protecting BJP leaders.
A court in Kolkata granted bail to Bangla Pokkho's founder, Garga Chatterjee, who was arrested for allegedly spreading misinformation through social media posts during the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Amid a spate of hoax bomb threats to multiple airlines, the IT ministry has asked social media platforms to observe due diligence obligations and promptly remove or disable access to misinformation within the strict timelines prescribed under IT rules.
The Delhi police on Thursday claimed it has identified more than 480 Pakistan-based social media handles allegedly involved in spreading misinformation amid the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Martar, saying the same accounts had been active during Operation Sindoor.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a warning against 'malicious' and 'misleading' social media posts concerning the health of world leaders, specifically Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who attended the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The warning comes amidst unverified claims about Xi's health and an official statement from Ramaphosa's office confirming his withdrawal from public engagements due to ill health.
A deep fake video of actress Rashmika Mandanna has been circulating on social media platforms. Netizens claimed the video has been morphed and the actual video is of an Indian-origin person living in the United Kingdom.
Delhi Police has refuted social media claims of a protester's death during a lathi charge at a CJP protest, calling them "false propaganda." Authorities warned of strict legal action against those spreading misinformation and urged the public to rely on verified facts to maintain peace.
A man named Fayaz Ahmad has been arrested in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly creating and sharing a digitally edited video on social media that depicted a fake explosion at a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp along the India-Nepal border. The video, which targeted a sensitive security installation, led to an investigation and his subsequent arrest for breach of peace.
Police in Hathras have registered an FIR against former Delhi minister Rajendra Pal Gautam for allegedly spreading misleading information and attempting to disturb communal harmony.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal has filed a police complaint after an AI-generated deepfake video, maliciously altering his remarks, surfaced on social media. The video falsely depicted him making threatening statements against students protesting the NEET examination. Government sources confirm many related links have been taken down, and Goyal has warned of strict legal action against those involved in its creation and dissemination.
CCTV footage purportedly showing a student leaving an exam hall at IIT Bombay has gone viral, coinciding with allegations of caste-based harassment following the suicide of second-year student Sahil Wakode. The professor named in the FIR has been sent on leave.
A shooting at a newly opened fast-food outlet in Twin Falls, Idaho, resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The gunman is confirmed deceased, and authorities are investigating the motive and identity of the suspect. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of public shootings in the United States.
A man in Bengaluru was arrested for uploading a misleading video claiming a person was under the influence of a 'zombie drug,' leading to public panic and misinformation.
The Indian government, through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has issued an advisory to Meta, urging the social media giant to prevent its recommendation systems from disproportionately exposing users to limited narratives and to enhance checks on content that could incite public disorder or unlawful activity. The advisory, dated October 10, also calls for Meta to provide adequate context for content related to ongoing public events and to review its content-ranking mechanisms to avoid amplifying misleading information.
The move comes days after the Delhi police said false information linked to the recent students' protest was being circulated through fake social media posts.
Vaishnaw told reporters that the government had recently issued a notice to companies on the deepfake issue, and the platforms responded, but added that the firms will have to be more aggressive in taking action on such content.
The government has asked social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, to remove content and posts that were spreading misinformation and public panic around the pandemic, according to sources.
On Tuesday, Kumar issued a public apology on X, acknowledging the error in his original post.
'It flows through families, caste groups, and local WhatsApp communities where trust is personal.' 'Children are taught to defer to elders, so if a parent or uncle forwards something, you don't question it.'
A new study analysing over 33,000 cancer journal articles has uncovered widespread citation manipulation by "research paper mills". These fraudulent organisations artificially inflate citation counts, a key academic performance metric, for thousands of articles. The suspect papers show unusually high citations but low readership, distorting scientific evidence and potentially slowing progress.
The Indian government has ordered the removal of Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app from app stores, citing law-and-order concerns due to its ability to bypass communication restrictions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the takedown demand under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000. The government also addressed the issue of banning minors from social media, indicating a search for a better solution than outright bans.
An irate mob vandalized properties and indulged in arson in Yavat, Pune, following an objectionable social media post. Police used teargas to control the situation, and peace has been restored with heavy police presence.
A mob in Pune vandalized properties and set fire to objects after an objectionable social media post. Police have detained the youth responsible for the post and are working to restore peace.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has refuted claims that Rahul Gandhi pushed him during a protest march in Delhi, clarifying that Gandhi was concerned for his safety. This comes after a viral video sparked a political slugfest between the Congress and the BJP, with the latter accusing Gandhi of insulting the state.
The Delhi high court has ordered social media companies and online service providers to remove 'false' information circulating online about Indian judges and Union ministers allegedly participating in a badminton tournament in London at taxpayers' expense. The court deemed the content malicious and a systematic misinformation campaign aimed at undermining the judiciary and executive.
Jamia Millia Islamia has established a four-member fact-finding committee to investigate CCTV footage allegedly showing a chameleon in a student's meal at a hostel mess. This comes amidst ongoing student protests regarding food quality and hygiene. The university is also seeking external agency assistance and will take action if deliberate wrongdoing or misinformation is found, while also installing more CCTV cameras to enhance monitoring.
Social media or mass media have become weapons of mass distraction, but there are no concerted efforts yet to tackle them, Justice Mahesh Sonak of the Goa bench of the Bombay high court said on Saturday.
A viral video showing a toddler being assaulted at a Navi Mumbai anganwadi initially sparked outrage against staff, but a police probe revealed the child's own mother was the perpetrator. The mother lost her temper due to the child's restlessness. Authorities counselled the parents and a minister addressed the spread of misinformation.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of academician Madhu Purnima Kishwar in a case registered against her for allegedly retweeting a video clip on social media.
