FIA to collar people spreading fake news on social media

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will launch a crackdown on social media users propagating false information, ARY News reported.

According to FIA officials, the action will be taken against people using fake accounts to spread false information. They said complaints were also received regarding hacking of accounts of government officials.

The freedom of expression will not be targeted, but no one will be allowed to blackmail anyone under this pretext.

Also read: Fawad announces ‘crackdown’ against hate speech on social media

Federal Investigation Agency Cybercrime Wing Director General, Captain (retd) Muhammad Shoaib, had said couple of days ago that the agency arrested some 20 persons, who during investigation disclosed that they ‘trapped’ the children by sending them friendship requests from fake accounts especially on Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter, which were mostly created in the names of women.

Captain Shoaib said there was a dire a need to create awareness among the people about the modus operandi of the criminals, who through fake accounts lured teenagers.

On Feb 13, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry announced to launch a ‘crackdown’ in few weeks against people spreading hatred and extremist narrative on social media.

“A mechanism has been devised to control social media. Hate is being spread through fake social media accounts,” Fawad Chaudhry told a news conference, adding that some people using social media for issuing edicts were arrested.