The Uttar Pradesh Police has initiated a new campaign to combat fake news and promote cyber safety by appointing ‘digital warriors’ across the state. This campaign, led by Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar, aims to enlist social media influencers, college students, and young volunteers as ‘digital warriors’ to counter misinformation, raise cybercrime awareness, and highlight police achievements.
The initiative builds upon the success of previous efforts, such as the involvement of diverse social groups as digital volunteers on WhatsApp in 2018 and the establishment of ‘WhatsApp community groups’ in 2023. These initiatives have been effective in debunking fake news and showcasing the positive work of the police force.
DGP Prashant Kumar highlighted the growth of the digital volunteer program from 2018 to 2023, which saw over 10 lakh volunteers and 2 lakh police personnel connected through WhatsApp community groups. These groups have played a crucial role in dispelling fake news and promoting the commendable efforts of the police. Building on this success, the ‘digital warrior’ initiative aims to enhance these efforts with structured training and increased engagement.
Recognizing the influence of digital platforms, the initiative will target college and university students, as well as social media influencers. Participants will undergo training to develop critical thinking and verification skills, enabling them to analyze information effectively. Equipped with these skills, digital warriors will not only identify and report fake news but also raise awareness about cybercrime among their peers, families, and communities.
A pilot version of the initiative is currently underway for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, demonstrating exceptional success. The experiment has showcased the potential of trained digital volunteers in combating misinformation and promoting cyber awareness. Workshops will be organized at schools, colleges, universities, and police lines as part of the campaign. These sessions will focus on identifying fake news, understanding cybercrime, and providing practical training in digital safety tools and strategies.
Experts, including cybercrime specialists, fact-checkers, and cyber trainers, will lead these workshops. The UP Police will collaborate with educational institutions to establish cyber clubs led by nodal officers, who will organize activities like poster creation, slogan writing competitions, and developing creative content for social media campaigns.
Dedicated nodal officers at district levels, such as SP (crime), DCP (crime), or ADC (crime), will oversee the initiative. Outstanding contributions by participants will be acknowledged with certificates, mementos, and public recognition. Exceptional social media content created by digital warriors may also be featured on official police platforms, with top performers receiving rewards.
The campaign will culminate in the formation of WhatsApp groups at district and headquarters levels, connecting digital warriors with law enforcement. Fully trained warriors will act as a strong defense against fake news and cybercrime, contributing to a safer and more informed digital environment in Uttar Pradesh.