Lucknow: In a significant move to curb the spread of fake news and enhance crime prevention efforts, Uttar Pradesh’s Director General of Police (DGP), Prashant Kumar, has outlined a new campaign aimed at strengthening digital engagement with the public.
Addressing the growing issue of misinformation and its impact on public order, the DGP emphasized the need for active participation from citizens, particularly through digital platforms.
Digital Warriors and Volunteers
Prashant Kumar highlighted that the campaign would focus on mobilizing the public as digital warriors. He noted that the police would encourage people to register as digital volunteers to help combat the spread of fake news and assist in crime prevention.
“We have already initiated the creation of digital volunteers since 2018, but we are now expanding the efforts to include more people who can act as the eyes and ears of the law enforcement agencies in the digital space,” he said.
Expanding Police Reach Across Social Media Platforms
One of the key points raised by the DGP was the need for a stronger police presence on social media platforms, especially those beyond WhatsApp, which is commonly used for spreading information. He acknowledged that while the police have access to platforms like WhatsApp, there are other digital platforms where law enforcement’s reach is currently limited.
To address this, he mentioned that measures would be taken to strengthen the police’s digital footprint, ensuring a more robust presence on various social media platforms. “We need to expand our reach and ensure that people across different platforms can have easy access to reliable information,” Kumar added.
Cyber Clubs and Workshops in Schools and Colleges
In an effort to engage the younger generation and promote cyber awareness, Prashant Kumar announced plans to establish cyber clubs in schools and colleges across the state. These clubs would serve as hubs for students to learn about cyber safety and digital literacy.
Furthermore, the DGP outlined plans to organize cyber workshops in educational institutions to help students understand the importance of cybersecurity, digital privacy, and responsible online behavior. These workshops will also provide an opportunity to hear fresh perspectives from youth, encouraging them to contribute their ideas to combat online crime and misinformation.
Preparing for the Mahakumbh: Ensuring Smooth Arrangements
The DGP also touched upon the preparations being made for the Mahakumbh festival, emphasizing the need for seamless arrangements to manage the large influx of people from around the world. He mentioned that efforts are being made to address potential problems faced by attendees, including issues related to digital connectivity, security, and communication.
“We are working to ensure that all arrangements are in place, particularly in terms of handling the digital and security challenges, so that the event can run smoothly,” said Kumar.
Wider Social Media Strategy and Upcoming Actions
To complement these efforts, the DGP stated that a comprehensive social media strategy would soon be rolled out, focusing on expanding the police’s reach across various platforms. This would include more proactive engagement with citizens, addressing their concerns and ensuring they have access to reliable and real-time information from the authorities.
He assured that actions would be taken at a war footing to tackle the challenges posed by fake news, cybercrime, and misinformation, in order to ensure public safety and security.
The Uttar Pradesh Police’s new digital engagement strategy is set to make a significant impact, not only in fighting fake news and cybercrime but also in fostering a more informed, connected, and safer society.
