X under fire from Central Government for hoax bomb threats to flights

Indian airlines have been inundated with over 170 hoax bomb threats in just nine days, causing chaos and financial strain across the aviation sector. The government has responded sternly, accusing social media platform X (formerly Twitter) of playing a role in these incidents, labeling its inaction as tantamount to "abetting crime." During a high-level virtual meeting led by Joint Secretary Sanket S. Bhondve of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITy), officials from major airlines and social media companies were pressed to enhance their response strategies to safeguard passenger security.

The Delhi Police have confirmed that more than 90 flights, operated by prominent carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Vistara, have been affected. The first reported incident occurred on October 16, when an Akasa Air flight bound for Bengaluru received a bomb threat. Since then, threats have surged, prompting law enforcement to register eight separate cases. Notably, three accounts on X—@adamlanza111, @psychotichuman, and @schizobomer777—were identified as sources of the threats. Investigators believe the individuals behind these accounts utilized Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and the dark web to obscure their identities, complicating the efforts of authorities to track them down.

These hoaxes have not only posed serious security risks but have also led to significant operational disruptions, with estimates of financial losses soaring to around Rs 600 crore. Domestic flights have faced disruptions costing approximately Rs 1.5 crore each, while international flights have seen losses between Rs 5 crore and Rs 5.5 crore per incident. Airlines have reported that nearly 80 flights received bomb threats on a single day, leading to widespread anxiety among travelers and a heightened sense of insecurity in the skies.

In response to the escalating situation, the government is exploring legislative measures aimed at curbing such threats in the future. Key proposals include placing individuals convicted of issuing hoax threats on a no-fly list and amending the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act (SUASCA), 1982. If passed, these amendments would empower authorities to arrest and investigate offenders without needing a court order when an aircraft is on the ground, significantly speeding up responses to threats.

The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) has taken proactive steps by updating its security protocols to improve coordination among different agencies. This includes enhanced communication channels between airlines, law enforcement, and social media platforms to ensure swift action can be taken in response to potential threats. Furthermore, the committee is reviewing existing security regulations to impose stricter penalties on those who engage in making bomb threats, aiming to deter future incidents.

The involvement of social media platforms in facilitating illegal activities has raised critical concerns about accountability and the responsibility of these companies to monitor and regulate user behavior.