Dikhyaa Mohanty 
292 inflammatory posts pertaining to the 2024 General Elections have been blocked by the Odisha Police’s Social Media Monitoring Cell. These posts have been uploaded on social media sites including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X (previously Twitter) by supporters of different political parties and other organizations, according to an official press release. On the directions of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, a special cell for social media surveillance has been established in CID-CB, with the IG of Police, CID-CB serving as the unit’s nodal officer for the 2024 General Elections.
At the Cyber Complex, CID-CB Bhubaneswar, a dedicated Social Media Unit team made up of two constables, one DySP, one inspector, one sub inspector, four assistant sub inspectors, and one inspector is in operation. In order to ensure the safe running of the next elections, this unit is constantly keeping an eye on social media, particularly platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and conducting cyber patrols to remove any abusive or hateful posts. This Cell also takes corrective and legal action, such as data preservation and content removal in relation to bogus or malicious posts that could interfere with a free and fair election process. Thus far,
i) In Facebook 289 requests have been sent for Content take down/Removal and 181 have already been taken down/removed by META.
ii) In Instagram, 190 requests have been sent for Content take down/removal and 110 have already been taken down/removed by META.
iii) In YouTube 3 requests have been sent for Content take down/removal and one has already been taken down/removed by Google.
iv) More than 275 handles across various Social Media Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, You Tube, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit etc are under surveillance and action as per law would be taken against those violating the law.
v) 02 numbers of FIRs have been registered in the state since 16.03.2024, 01 person arrested and 01 person was issued with notice u/s 41-A Cr.P.C.
It is important to note that, in accordance with Govt. of Odisha Notification No. 4228/HOME-CPM-MISC-0290-2023/CP&M, dtd. 03.02.2024, the state government has designated Addl. DG of Police, CID CB, Odisha as the Nodal Officer or designated Official under 79 (3) (b) of the IT Act 2000 and IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 for issuing take down notice to the appropriate intermediary in the event that any online content violates the law or any Act. Notices for material removal and takedown have been sent to a number of social media intermediaries using this clause.
