Special Police Unit To Monitor Fake News On Social Media In Run-Up To Elections In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With the ECI warning against the spread of misinformation during the Lok Sabha elections, Odisha police have set up a special unit to keep an eagle eye on social media platforms.

IGP (Crime Branch) Shefeen Ahamed is the nodal officer of the social media cell.

“There is a specific guideline from ECI regarding fake news, misinformation. The IG rank officer will monitor all news content and tackle dissemination of false online contents related to elections in coordination with the IT department. A mechanism has been put in place,” DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi told the media.

While urging people to refrain from spreading misinformation, police have also warned of stringent action against individuals and organisations sharing fake and provocative contents related to elections on social media handles. “The officers have been trained as per the instructions in the model code of conduct. Our social media cell is also functioning. The cyber cell will respond to any related complaints,” DCP Bhubaneswar Prateek Singh said.

District police headquarters have also created their own teams to actively monitor platforms like Facebook, X, WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube. Dedicated phone numbers have also been issued to receive complaints from people and candidates related to circulation of fake and objectionable poll-related contents on social media handles, sources added.