Government slams X over spread of bomb threat hoaxes targeting airlines

In response to a surge in bomb threats targeting Indian airlines, the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT has criticized social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for allegedly facilitating the spread of these alarming hoaxes. Joint Secretary Sanket S Bhondve chaired a virtual meeting with representatives from airlines and social media platforms, including X and Meta, where he accused X of "abetting crime" by not doing enough to curb the spread of these rumors.

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Over the past few days, more than 120 flights operated by Indian carriers, including IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India, have been targeted by bomb threats. Despite no credible threats being found, these incidents have disrupted operations, with airlines strictly following security protocols and alerting authorities.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu addressed the situation, assuring that the government is handling the issue without compromising passenger safety. He warned that individuals responsible for circulating these hoaxes would face severe consequences, including being placed on a no-fly list.

To address this growing concern, the government is pushing for amendments to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act. These amendments would allow for action against offenders while aircraft are still on the ground, expanding current laws that mainly cover in-flight incidents. A thorough investigation is ongoing to determine if a coordinated effort is behind the threats.