Hyderabad, Telangana: In a worrying trend, a surge in the spread of fake news has caused widespread fear, confusion, and public unrest across several regions in Telangana. Authorities have raised a red flag over the growing menace of misinformation, especially on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), which are being used to circulate unverified and often sensational content.
Recent days have seen a spike in rumors and false messages relating to communal tensions, child kidnappings, natural disasters, and public health emergencies. In many cases, these misleading posts have gone viral before being verified or debunked, causing panic and disrupting normal life. For instance, a widely circulated voice message claimed that certain areas were unsafe due to an imminent communal flare-up — a claim that was later found to be entirely fabricated.
According to senior police officials, such disinformation campaigns not only disturb public peace but also divert valuable law enforcement resources. “These rumors create unnecessary panic, crowd control issues, and can even incite violence,” said a top official from the Telangana Police. “We urge the public not to believe or forward any unverified messages.”
Cybercrime cells in the state have ramped up surveillance and digital tracking mechanisms to identify and take legal action against individuals or groups involved in intentionally spreading fake news. Cases have already been booked under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for causing public mischief and inciting fear.
The police have issued public advisories urging citizens to rely only on official sources, such as government press releases, verified handles, and reputed news organizations, for credible information. Community outreach programs are also being planned to raise awareness about the responsible use of social media and the legal consequences of spreading false information.
Furthermore, the Telangana State Police have appealed to social media companies to cooperate in flagging, removing, and tracing viral misinformation that has the potential to disrupt law and order.
Authorities have also emphasized the importance of media literacy and urged educational institutions, corporate firms, and resident welfare associations to include sessions on digital responsibility and fact-checking as part of their community engagement efforts.
“Maintaining peace and public trust is a shared responsibility,” police said in a statement. “We call upon all citizens to be vigilant, verify before forwarding, and report any suspicious or provocative content immediately.”
