Delhi Police’ ‘ IT cell’ to flag ‘ unlawful content’ on social media

New Delhi, Aug 29: As part of a pilot project, the Delhi Police is planning to set up an “IT cell” to flag “unlawful content” on social media that may have the potential to disrupt the law- and- order situation, officials said on Saturday.

They said the project will start once they receive an approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA) but for now, they have been allocated ` 25 lakh for it.

“We are in the process of setting up an IT cell, which would start as a pilot project for three months and based on its outcome, we will take it forward, but for now, we are awaiting the approval of the MHA,” a senior police officer said.

The officer added that the aim is to flag unlawful content on social media, which may cause communal disharmony or affect the law- and- order situation, and take appropriate action against it.

Most of those hired for the pilot project are qualified youngsters, wellversed with social media platforms and have a background in information technology. Some of them are pursuing their masters degree. These people have been a hired on a contract basis, the police said. According to police, senior officers also realised the importance of setting up an IT cell during the Northeast Delhi riots, when some unknown users, including from Pakistan, posted fake “alerts” about the riots and tagged Delhi Police to

“tarnish their image”. “And before the riots, activists and students coordinated where to gather by sharing messages on social media. Most of the time, officers in districts or the special branch got to know only a few hours before the gathering,” a senior officer said.

An official said the issue was also discussed a few months ago by the Delhi Police Commissioner with other officers and initially it was proposed to hire a consultant from a public sector undertaking for a particular period. “After several rounds of discussion, it was decided to hire a private consultant, following government rules,” the officer said.

Later, a tender was floated and the consultant was asked to shortlist people for an interview. “100 people were shortlisted after their resumes were scanned from online job portals; they appeared for an online interview with senior officers of the Special Branch. They were asked about their perception of the Delhi Police, their point of view over the police action during the riots, and what they would do if they got the job,” an officer said.

Out of the 100, 15- 17 people were shortlisted. Two of them, who will be given the designation of “perception manager”, will lead the team, said police.

“They were recently called to the police HQ, where the police chief met them and conveyed that the force needs a strong presence on all social media platforms to counter misleading information by anti- social elements. Apart from working under the special branch, they have been asked to coordinate with the Delhi Police spokesperson,” the officer added.

◗ POLICE SAID the project will start once they receive an approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA) but for now, they have been allocated ` 25 lakh for it