Ballari police tighten social media watch; 83 complaints since 2023

Ballari: Ballari district police have intensified surveillance of social media platforms through dedicated monitoring cells across police stations to curb the spread of fake news, hate messages and misleading content that could disturb communal harmony and public order.

Police said the growing use of mobile phones and social media platforms has led to misuse of digital media. Some users are allegedly posting defamatory content, false news, misleading videos and reels shot in risky locations, besides sharing posts capable of creating confusion among the public.

SP Suman D Pennekar said social media monitoring cells have been set up in all police stations, including the district headquarters, with staff deployed for round-the-clock monitoring of online activity.

“Objectionable posts on social media are immediately identified and brought to the notice of the concerned police stations for necessary action. Persons spreading false information are being identified and legal proceedings initiated,” she said.

SP Suman added that awareness on responsible and safe internet usage is being created through meetings, awareness programmes and posts shared on the department’s official social media accounts.

Police said cases are being registered under cyber laws against those posting and sharing objectionable content in the district. Since 2023, a total of 83 complaints have been registered, including 32 FIRs related to serious offences.

Apart from this, 15 cases have been booked under provisions wherein habitual offenders posting derogatory content are required to appear before the tahsildar court and submit written undertakings.

Police said 11 cases have been registered under the IMV Act and six under the KP Act. Another 19 cases relate to creation of fake accounts, spreading false news and sharing old posts to mislead the public.

Police said two personnel have been deployed for social media monitoring in every police station, while a separate nodal officer has been appointed at the district level to coordinate surveillance and action against objectionable online content.