Maha: 363 cases registered over social media posts on COVID-19

Mumbai, May 9 () Maharashtra Cyber has registered363 offences of rumour mongering, spreading misinformation,hatred and fake news on social media during the COVID-19lockdown, an official said on Saturday.

The state police's cyber wing has been monitoringonline activities to prevent the spread of misinformationabout the COVID-19 pandemic.

As many as 196 persons were arrested for sharing oruploading objectionable posts, videos and photographs onsocial media, the official said.

In Sangli district, a case was registered againstsome people for uploading a Tik-Tok video about a particularcommunity being responsible for the pandemic and also usingabusive language against prominent social reformers, he said.

At least 14 offences were registered by the cyberwing in the district since the lockdown was enforced, headded.

Similarly, in Parli town of Beed district, somepersons were booked for a social media post linking the spreadof COVID-19 to a particular community, he said, adding thatthe district had recorded highest number of cyber offencesduring the lockdown.

Of the 363 offences registered so far, at least 155cases were related to WhatsApp forwards, while 140 were forobjectionable Facebook posts, the official said.

The cyber wing had deleted at least 101 objectionableposts from social media platforms during the lockdown, headded. DCARU ARU