6 hrs ago
Bhopal Police Orders Crackdown on Inflammatory Social Media Content
Bhopal police have made new rules for social media.
The rules aim to stop posts that could make religious, social or caste groups fight.
People cannot share, forward, like or comment on posts that may cause violence or hatred.
They also cannot spread rumours or make false claims that could lead to illegal acts.
Group administrators must help stop such posts in their groups.
Cyber cafes must record who uses their computers and take visitors’ photographs.
The order began immediately and will last for two months unless it is withdrawn earlier.
People who break the order may face legal punishment.
Bhopal Urban Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar issued a preventive order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The order bans sharing inflammatory messages, images, videos and audio that could provoke communal, religious or caste-based hostility.
Users are also prohibited from liking, commenting on, sharing or forwarding objectionable posts.
Social media group administrators are personally responsible for preventing the spread of prohibited content.
Cyber cafes must record users’ identities and install cameras; the order takes immediate effect for two months and violations can be prosecuted.
- Who
- Bhopal Urban Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar issued the order, applying to social media users, group administrators and cyber-cafe owners in Bhopal city.
- What
- A preventive order prohibits inflammatory, objectionable and potentially disruptive social media content and imposes identification requirements on cyber cafes.
- Where
- Bhopal city.
- When
- The order was released on Monday, took effect immediately and will remain in force for two months unless withdrawn earlier.
- Why
- Police said the measures were needed to protect communal harmony, public safety and law and order from online hostility, rumours and incitement.
Key facts
- Issuing authority
- Bhopal Urban Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar
- Legal basis
- Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- Prohibited conduct
- Circulating, liking, commenting on, sharing or forwarding inflammatory or objectionable content
- Responsible parties
- Social media users and group administrators
- Cyber-cafe requirements
- Record each user’s name, address, telephone number and identity proof, and install web cameras
- Duration
- Two months from the order’s immediate effective date
- Penalty
- Violations are punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, among other applicable laws
Sources
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