New Delhi: After the arrest of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra in an alleged espionage case, the Haryana government is preparing to introduce strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for YouTubers and social media influencers.
These SOPs are expected to include strict guidelines specifically for the content produced by travel bloggers.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini has issued strict instructions to Home Department officials in this regard and directed that a draft of the SOPs be prepared and submitted for approval soon.
On Tuesday, Saini held a meeting with Home and Police officials in Chandigarh to discuss the recent arrest of Pakistani spies from Haryana, including Jyoti Malhotra. The Chief Minister instructed officials to prevent such incidents in the future by closely monitoring YouTube channels with suspected links to Pakistan.
Govt to step up surveillance
It has been decided by the government to step up surveillance of individuals and social media platforms used to upload objectionable or anti-national content. The departments concerned have been asked to work in coordination to develop the SOPs for the use and monitoring of such platforms.
After Tuesday’s meeting, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS, Home) Sumita Misra said that special directions have been issued that related to intensified monitoring of social media platforms. She pointed out that special teams will keep tabs on social media to find channels that act like sleeper cells for Pakistan. Strict action will be taken against such channels, Misra added.
Misra reportedly said: “The CM had a detailed discussion on the issue of Pakistan-supported operatives in the state. Our action will continue till we weed them out. We have sufficient social media monitoring cells that are monitoring such platforms.” She further said that the agencies were on high alert and taking swift action against those found associated with Pakistan or operatives backed from across the border.
