Over 1k accounts blocked for spreading fake news on Murshidabad
Times of India | 16 April 2025
12 Kolkata: Around 1,093 Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube accounts have been blocked since April 11 for allegedly trying to provoke enmity between groups through fake posts on the Murshidabad violence. A good deal of these social media handles are fake, and many are outside Bengal.
Speaking to reporters, ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar said multiple cyber units of Bengal police have been monitoring social media chatter for the past five days, specifically some suspect handles.
"We blocked 1,093 accounts after monitoring platforms like Facebook, X, YouTube and WhatsApp. These are either fake accounts or accounts from where fake news or conspiracy theories were being propagated. We are also acting against rumour-mongers and those using these accounts," said Sarkar.
Sources said several users have been sent notices and FIRs have been drawn across the state.
ADG (Law & Order) Jawed Shamim said police were focusing most of their attention to posts being sent out in bulk. "There has been a barrage of misinformation being initiated by people from outside the state. Verification of facts is essential, but people with no idea about Bengal are posting fake news," said Shamim.
The ADG also confirmed that a few locals, including one who claimed a fake bomb haul, had been served legal notices and asked to report to the police. "We received a number of forwards from concerned citizens. VoIP addresses are being fixed up in this regard," claimed a source.
The barrage of fake posts, police said, was partly the reason for the internet ban in pockets of Murshidabad and parts of the district contiguous to Malda and Birbhum. Police said the curb has been able to contain rumours and led to a drop in the number of distress calls. "On Sunday night, we found just one of the 11-odd distress calls to our control room to be of any basis. But on Monday night, we noticed a drastic drop in calls," said a senior officer in Shamsherganj.
According to Bhawani Bhawan sources, the old style of passing off old incidents as new has been discarded. Instead, AI is being used to change original videos. Words are even being put in the mouths of social media influencers, claimed a source.