Among the listed events that were apparently showing a sharp rise were “anti-national activities, defamatory postings, and other unlawful activities using Internet/Social media platforms”. The affidavit did not mention that most of the allegations of hate speech and fake news had been levelled at the ecosystem associated with the supporters of the ruling dispensation. A recent instance was a triple murder in Bengal that was misrepresented by some Hindutva groups through inflammatory posts on social media. On Monday, the Centre said the Internet had become a “potent tool” for disruption. “If on one hand technology has led to economic growth and societal development, on the other hand there has been an exponential rise in hate speech, fake news, public order (sic) anti-national activities, defamatory postings, and other unlawful activities using Internet/Social media platforms,” the government said in its affidavit.

Source: The Telegraph October 21, 2019 20:37 UTC