Telangana’s top cop has issued a no-nonsense ultimatum to social media platforms: crack down on character defamation or face the consequences. DGP M. Mahender Reddy’s bold statement underscores the growing menace of cyber slander plaguing the state.
Over the past year, Telangana has witnessed a disturbing rise in coordinated online attacks aimed at destroying reputations. Politicians, bureaucrats, and ordinary citizens have fallen victim to vicious rumors spread via WhatsApp forwards, Twitter storms, and Facebook rants. The DGP vowed zero tolerance for such activities.
‘Platforms must act immediately on takedown requests. We expect full cooperation,’ he told reporters. The Cyberabad police wing is ramping up surveillance, employing AI tools to detect and trace defamatory posts back to their origins.
Legal repercussions are imminent for repeat offenders. Section 66A may be invoked alongside defamation laws, promising hefty fines and imprisonment. Major platforms have been summoned for closed-door meetings to outline compliance protocols.
This crackdown is part of a broader digital hygiene drive. Educational workshops for netizens, partnerships with tech firms, and public service announcements are in the pipeline. The goal? Transform social media from a weapon of malice into a space for constructive dialogue.
Stakeholders welcome the DGP’s proactive stance. ‘It’s high time platforms prioritize user safety over ad revenue,’ said a digital rights activist. As enforcement intensifies, Telangana positions itself as a frontrunner in battling online toxicity.