Why in news?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory urging social media platforms to take responsibility in controlling threats against flights operating from India.

The Ministry highlighted the unrestricted spread of hoax bomb threats due to features like forwarding, resharing, and reposting, which are readily available on social media platforms.

What’s in today’s article?

• Recent bomb threats
• Aviation security architecture
• Handling security threats - Challenges and way forward
• Advisory to curb hoax bomb threats on social media

Recent bomb threats

• Widespread threats disrupted Airlines
  • Over the past two weeks, Indian carriers, including Tata group airlines (Air India, Vistara, and Air India Express), Indigo, Alliance Air, and Star Air, have faced a series of hoax threats.
  • These incidents have led to emergency measures, flight rerouting, and military fighter jet intercepts, particularly in international airspace when emergency transponder codes were activated.
  • Although the threats were hoaxes, they resulted in significant delays and financial losses estimated at ₹13-₹17 lakh per hour for airlines.
• Nature and Source of Threats
  • According to the govt, most threats originated on social media. Intelligence agencies are investigating and focusing on tracking IP addresses and VPN usage.
  • Despite initial suspicions of hoaxes, no potential threat has been overlooked given the scale of India’s daily 4,000 flight operations.
  • Since the start of these incidents, approximately 275 threats have affected around 48,000 flights.

Aviation security architecture

• ICAO’s Aviation Security Guidelines and Directives
  • Most aviation security guidelines are derived from the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 17 on Aviation Security.
  • These guidelines and Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) are part of the Chicago Convention.
    • These guidelines mandate global measures against unlawful interference in civil aviation.
  • The ICAO Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973) provides member states with detailed security procedures.
  • Annex 17 and Doc 8973 are continually updated to address new threats and advancements in technology, though detailed discussions and specific guidance are restricted.
• Security Agencies and Measures in India
  • In India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is responsible for establishing security standards for civilian flights, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees flight safety.
  • Other involved agencies include the Airports Authority of India, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Security Guard (NSG), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Ministry of Home Affairs, and the judiciary.
• Proposed Amendments to Strengthen Aviation Security Laws
  • In response to recent security threats, amendments are being considered for the Aircraft Act 1934, Aircraft Rules 1937, and other relevant laws.
  • Planned updates include stricter penalties, no-fly list provisions, and expanding legal recourse to address security violations even on the ground.
  • Updates to the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982 would further empower authorities to handle in-flight and on-ground security threats.

Handling security threats - Challenges and way forward

• Systemic Issues
  • Although details about recent Indian cases aren’t fully disclosed, these incidents have revealed systemic issues, including gaps in standardized procedures, guidelines, training, technology limitations, communication, and regulatory enforcement within the aviation security system.
• Recommended Technological Investments and Innovations
  • Addressing hoax calls effectively, according to the expert, requires investment in advanced call tracking, AI-powered call analysis, voice stress analysis, and comprehensive threat assessment systems.
  • Emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and aviation cybersecurity frameworks, could enhance security further.
  • The expert also recommended implementing AI-powered chatbots for preliminary threat assessments and psychological profiling of callers to better understand motivations and threat levels.
• Proposed Strategies for Deterrence and Awareness
  • To deter offenders, experts suggested publicly sharing photos of offenders on social media and displaying them at airports as a warning.
  • Additionally, the expert recommended establishing a global hoax call database and providing rewards for informers to encourage reporting of hoax threats.

Advisory to curb hoax bomb threats on social media

• About the news
  • MeitY has advised all social media platforms to follow the rules under the Information Technology (IT) Rules and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
  • They are asked to make a serious effort to quickly remove any bomb threat posts. If they don’t comply, they could be held legally responsible.
• Legal Framework Under IT Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021
  • The advisory underscores the Ministry’s reliance on existing legal provisions to compel platforms to act against misinformation that threatens public order.
  • The Information Technology Act, 2000, along with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, require intermediaries to promptly remove harmful misinformation.
    • Previously, the Ministry applied similar provisions to tackle the spread of deepfake videos, citing Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules.
    • Rule 3(1)(b)(v) prohibits misinformation and patently false information.
• Potential Consequences for Non-Compliance
  • The advisory warned that non-compliant platforms risk losing intermediary liability protections, exposing them to potential legal action as publishers of harmful posts.
  • The Ministry noted that legal actions could be pursued under both the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, if platforms fail to exercise due diligence.