Spreading rumors about Coronavirus is criminal offence

Spreading rumors about the Coronavirus is a criminal offense.

People are being arrested for such posts on social media. In Mysuru, a hospital staff who revealed Corona patient name to the public was suspended.

Disaster Management Act has been implemented across the country. According to this update, apart from the Govt department, no other citizen is allowed to post any update or share any forward related to Coronavirus and it is a punishable offense. Hence do not spread rumors, don’t post forwards received from some other groups without knowing and verifying the authenticity of such posts.

Hope we all understand and cooperate. Don’t put yourself and the Group WhatsApp admin into trouble.

How to function in a group?

Very Important: Confirm the validity of the news you wish to share in your group before circulating it.

To avoid fear-mongering and spreading false information among people the following steps are being announced by the Cybercrime dept.

Spreading of unverified messages on social media is prohibited and will be taken cognizance of

Any Social media message related to COVID 19 must be from the official govt source only.
Following unverified messages must not be circulated:
1)Any information regarding treatment cure of COVID 19
2)Any information regarding help centers for COVID 19
3)Any alternative medicine of method to prevent COVID 19
4)Any religious cure or unscientific methods proposed as a treatment for COVID 19
5)Asking for money for immediate cure or any respite from COVID 19

You may report such forwards at this link below

https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/Crime_AuthoLogin.aspx

Sections of law under which your action might be committing a crime:

Section 505 in The Indian Penal Code
Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897
Section 188 in The Indian Penal Code