India Warns Against False Bomb Threats

NEW DELHI — India has issued a “consequential action” warning to social media platforms after hundreds of false bomb threats against Indian airlines this month sparked travel chaos and terror that threatened national security.

Some of the threats resulted in planes being diverted to Canada and Germany and fighter jets scrambling to escort the planes over Britain and Singapore.

The government called the spread of threats “dangerously unrestricted.”

He warned social media platforms of “follow-up action provided for by any law” if they fail to comply with “immediate removal of misinformation.”

“Instances of malicious acts in the form of false bomb threats against such airlines result in a potential threat to public order and national security,” the company said in a statement on Saturday.

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“Such false bomb threats, while affecting large numbers of citizens, will also destabilize the economic security of the country.”

At least 275 bomb threats have been made since mid-October, all of which have been found to be false, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. Other Indian media outlets suggest the number could be nearly 400.

“Exemption from liability for any third party information… does not apply if such intermediaries fail to comply with due diligence obligations,” it added.