UP cops rope in influencers to counter fake news ahead of Maha Kumbh

This month-long project, which involved influencers and college students, was successful and has now been expanded statewide, he said

Uttar Pradesh Police have enlisted social media influencers and college students as “digital warriors” to strengthen its fight against cybercrime and combat fake news, an officer said on Saturday.

“The digital warriors (a network of social media influencers and college students) will raise awareness about cybercrime, counter misleading news, train ordinary citizens as cyber trainers, and publicise the commendable work and campaigns of the police,” said Uttar Pradesh’s Director General of Police, Prashant Kumar. Kumar cited a pilot project run by the UP Police ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela to combat fake news. 

This month-long project, which involved influencers and college students, was successful and has now been expanded statewide, he said. “UP Police launched the ‘Digital Warriors’ initiative in 2018, which became active on WhatsApp. People from different sections of society were added as digital volunteers,” Kumar explained.

“In 2023, ‘WhatsApp Community Groups’ were created, adding all UP Police personnel, enabling them to refute fake news and publicise the commendable work of the police.” He added that currently, about 10 lakh people are connected as digital volunteers, and around two lakh policemen are linked through community groups.

“Owing to the limited access of these digital volunteers to WhatsApp and their limited activity on other social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter (now X), Facebook, YouTube, etc., there was a need to engage the younger generation of social media influencers and college/university students with the UP Police by making them ‘digital warriors,’” Kumar said.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!