Cyber Crime
Defence Ministry Issues Alert Against Fake Channel – Here’s What You Need to Know
The Ministry of Defence has issued a stern warning against a fake WhatsApp channel, “Defence Pro,” falsely claiming affiliation with the Indian Army. The channel, potentially run by malicious elements, spreads misinformation and collects users’ personal data. The Ministry advises the public to avoid joining or sharing information from this fake channel.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently alerted citizens to a fraudulent WhatsApp channel named “Defence Pro,” which falsely claims to represent the Indian Armed Forces. This fake channel has been circulating false information under the guise of official announcements, including statements about the Indian Army’s involvement in tackling social media misinformation.
A post shared by “Defence Pro” on November 2nd falsely declared that the Indian Army had appointed a special officer to combat misinformation on social media. The post added that the Army had gained authority to issue takedown notices directly to social media platforms, bypassing the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The misinformation claimed that this move would help the Army independently address unlawful content online.
The Ministry of Defence swiftly responded, labeling this channel as fake and warning the public against its deceptive tactics. In an official tweet, the Ministry emphasized that “Defence Pro” has no affiliation with any branch of the Indian Armed Forces or the Ministry itself. The Ministry further cautioned that such fake channels could be operated by anti-national entities seeking to collect contact details of unsuspecting individuals for potentially harmful purposes.
The Ministry’s statement urges the public to remain vigilant, avoid joining the channel, and refrain from sharing any content or information from it. The Ministry also highlighted the need to stay cautious of misinformation, especially when it pertains to national security matters, as such misleading information could create public confusion or undermine trust in legitimate government communications.
This incident underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of sources before trusting and sharing information, especially on sensitive topics. The Ministry concluded its statement by encouraging citizens to be cautious and to rely on official government channels for any news regarding the Indian Armed Forces.
For more updates, follow verified government social media accounts and avoid unverified sources that could compromise personal information and security.
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