IT Ministry Slams Meta, X For Ignoring Bomb Threats

The Information Technology Ministry has criticised social media platforms for allegedly facilitating crime by failing to respond to hoax bomb threats. In recent days, over 120 flights operated by Indian airlines have received such threats, with 30 flights from IndiGo, Vistara and Air India affected just yesterday in New Delhi.

During a virtual meeting led by Joint Secretary Sanket S Bhondve, representatives from airlines and social media companies including X and Meta were questioned about their responses to the spread of false information. Bhondve accused Elon Musk's platform of 'abetting crime' by allowing these threats to circulate unchecked.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has urged social media companies to adopt proactive measures against hoax bomb threats and called for clearer takedown procedures. In light of the 80 bomb threats received by Indian airlines in just two days, the government is considering legislative measures to punish the offenders.

Additionally, the government is looking into amendments to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act (SUASCA), 1982. These amendments would enable arrests and investigations without a court order when an aircraft is still on the ground and aim to introduce stricter penalties for those issuing bomb threats.

On 22 October, Indian Airlines experienced a spike in bomb threats, affecting nearly 50 flights and bringing the total to around 80 incidents within two days. Air India and IndiGo each reported 13 impacted flights while Akasa Air and Vistara reported over 12 and 11 affected flights respectively. This follows 30 threats reported on the night of 21 October, leading to over 170 bomb threats against Indian flights in just over a week.

Airlines have confirmed coordination with local authorities and adherence to safety protocols. While the threats have turned out to be hoaxes, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu emphasised the seriousness of the situation. He assured that the government is taking steps to address the issue while prioritising passenger safety, warning that those responsible for spreading hoaxes could face severe consequences, including being placed on a no-fly list.