One careless click can land you in jail, NCCIA warns social media users

WEB DESK: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a public warning, urging citizens to exercise caution while using social media and digital platforms, warning that careless online behaviour could lead to serious legal consequences.

In its awareness message, the NCCIA cautioned that even a single irresponsible post or click could result in criminal liability, particularly if it involves the sharing of unverified or misleading information. The agency stressed that circulating false or unsubstantiated content against the higher judiciary or state institutions constitutes a grave offence under the law.

Referring to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), the NCCIA noted that Section 26-A provides for punishment of up to three years in prison for spreading fake news. In addition to imprisonment, offenders may also face fines of up to Rs2 million.

The agency further advised the public to refrain from sharing hate speech and disinformation, emphasising the role of responsible digital citizenship in maintaining online safety.

Calling on users to verify information before sharing it, the NCCIA said collective responsibility was essential to curb the spread of fake news and ensure a secure and lawful digital environment.