Operation Sindoor: Important Dos and Don’ts Shared by IT Ministry to Prevent Misinformation

On Friday, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released a list of guidelines for users in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after Operation Sindoor. The ministry’s recent advisory aims to alert citizens about the dangers of misinformation and encourages them to remain safe online by adhering to cybersecurity measures. The government’s fact-checking team has been consistently sharing clarifications for deceptive posts and images circulating on the internet following Operation Sindoor, and users have been encouraged to report false information through WhatsApp and email.

In a post on X, the IT ministry urged users to be cautious online. “Critical Online Safety Alert always follow cybersecurity precautions. Stay cautious while online—don’t fall for traps or misinformation. Be patriotic, stay vigilant, stay safe,” the IT ministry said in the post.

Users have been requested to provide details regarding helplines, official notices, and updates on relief efforts. This information can be beneficial for individuals in impacted regions and can assist in keeping other users updated with vital news from official channels.

MeitY also states that users must ensure that any news they intend to share with others has been verified for accuracy. Numerous fact-checking organizations exist online, and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has been diligently combating misinformation on the internet. In the meantime, the IT ministry has urged users to refrain from sharing sensitive details about Operation Sindoor online. This indicates that users must refrain from posting information about troop movements or any other defense-related details on social media.

Users have also been instructed not to share or forward information unless it has been confirmed. This caution arrives shortly after Doordarshan News posted on X alerting the public about a looming surge of propaganda post-Operation Sindoor, urging them to examine information closely and report questionable material to the PIB’s fact-checking division.

The IT ministry has additionally cautioned users about sharing information that might provoke violence or communal discord in the nation. The government has encouraged users to notify them of any fake news encountered online through WhatsApp (+91 8799711259) or by sending an email to socialmedia@pib.gov.in.