West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing grave concern over the increasing misuse of digital platforms for cybercrime and the spread of provocative, misleading content on social media.
In her letter, Banerjee called for stronger legislation to tackle the growing threat of cybercrime and regulate the spread of fake and inflammatory content online. She noted that “fake and misleading narratives, often accompanied by doctored visuals, are being widely disseminated,” and warned that such material is “causing confusion, creating disharmony among communities and inciting unrest.”
The Chief Minister emphasized the urgent need to strengthen India's cyber laws to address the misuse of technology for criminal activities such as identity theft, defamation, and fraud. She also pointed to the increasing impact of digital threats on public safety and communal harmony.
“Equally important is the necessity of fostering widespread awareness regarding the responsible use and consumption of digital media,” Banerjee wrote. “Many of our people remain unaware of the risks associated with consuming and sharing unverified content. This menace is increasingly spreading throughout the country,” she added.
To combat this challenge, Banerjee called for the launch of comprehensive sensitisation programmes, digital literacy campaigns, and community engagement initiatives. These efforts, she stressed, are vital to empower citizens “to critically evaluate online information and to report suspicious activities promptly.”
Her letter underscores the dual need for legal reform and public education to protect citizens in an increasingly digital world and to ensure that social media and digital spaces are not exploited to fuel misinformation or incite unrest.
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