Politics · India Bureau
Delhi Police probe fake takedown notices targeting digital rights groups
Delhi Police have registered a first information report after fraudulent notices purportedly issued in their name were used to seek blocking of social media accounts belonging to Internet Freedom Foundation and Software Freedom Law Centre. The investigation will examine how the impersonation was carried out.
LSN India ·
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has initiated a formal investigation into the circulation of counterfeit notices that falsely claimed police authority to demand the blocking of X accounts operated by prominent digital rights organisations. The development follows confirmation from X that takedown requests bearing the Delhi Police's letterhead were fraudulent.
The phoney notices targeted accounts operated by the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC), organisations known for advocating digital rights and internet freedom in India. X flagged the suspicious requests to the Delhi High Court, prompting authorities to examine the matter.
The Delhi Police's Internet and Social Media Cell (IFSO) has been tasked with assisting the Crime Branch investigation to identify those responsible for creating and circulating the fake notices. Authorities will examine how the impersonation was executed and seek to establish the identity and motive of those behind the fraudulent communications.
The case underscores growing concerns about the misuse of official letterheads and police authority to suppress online speech and target civil society organisations. Digital rights groups have previously flagged concerns about takedown requests used as a tool to silence dissenting voices and restrict access to platforms hosting critical content.