Uttar Pradesh Launches ‘Digital Warriors’ Campaign To Combat Fake News And Cybercrime

In an innovative move, the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh has rolled out the ‘Digital Warriors’ initiative to combat the spread of fake news, raise awareness about cybercrime, and highlight the achievements of the police on social media platforms. The campaign will be prominently active during the Maha Kumbh 2025 and will involve youth, social media influencers, and college students to leverage their influence in promoting digital vigilance.

Campaign Expansion Across Uttar Pradesh

Building on the success of this initiative during the Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh’s Director General of Police (DGP), Prashant Kumar, has now directed the expansion of the campaign throughout the state. The initiative, which originally began in 2018, aims to enlist individuals from diverse sections of society as digital volunteers, particularly targeting the younger generation to amplify positive messages and counter misinformation.

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By 2023, the UP Police had established “WhatsApp Community Groups” integrating police personnel and volunteers to effectively counter fake news and share the police’s commendable work.

Engaging Youth And Social Media Influencers

To further enhance the effectiveness of this initiative, DGP Prashant Kumar has called for greater involvement from young people, including college and university students, as well as social media influencers. These individuals, now called ‘Digital Warriors,’ will play a key role in promoting awareness about fake news, cybercrime, and the police’s achievements across social media platforms.

The initiative aims to empower students with the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and verify information, making them valuable assets in the fight against misinformation. These trained ‘Digital Warriors’ will not only report cybercrime but also educate their families, friends, and communities about digital safety and the dangers of fake news.

To equip students with the knowledge they need, workshops will be organized in universities, degree colleges, schools, and police lines. These workshops, led by cybercrime experts, fact-checkers, and district cyber police personnel, will focus on identifying fake news, understanding cybercrime, and learning its harmful effects. District police officers will also encourage the establishment of ‘Cyber Clubs’ in educational institutions, where students can engage in activities like poster-making, slogan writing, and creating social media content to raise awareness.

This effort will receive cooperation from the Education Department and district administration, ensuring that the initiative reaches a wide audience.

Digital Warriors’ Roles And Responsibilities

The selection process for ‘Digital Warriors’ is strict, with only individuals who have a clean image and a positive track record eligible to participate. Applicants can be social media influencers from outside Uttar Pradesh as well. As part of the process, selected individuals must sign an undertaking to cooperate with the police, refute fake news, and refrain from engaging in cybercrime or posting controversial content.

Once selected, Digital Warriors will submit monthly reports detailing the fake news they’ve identified, the police initiatives they’ve promoted, and the impact they’ve had in spreading awareness. They will also be part of a dedicated WhatsApp group at both district and headquarters levels to coordinate efforts and share information.

Recognition And Incentives For Digital Warriors

To motivate active participation, Digital Warriors who further demonstrate dedication and produce high-quality content will have their work promoted on district government social media channels. They will also receive certificates, mementos, and other forms of recognition. Exceptional individuals will be rewarded by the Police Headquarters after a review.

The ‘Digital Warriors’ campaign is a critical part of Uttar Pradesh’s strategy to counter misinformation and cybercrime in the digital age. By involving young people and social media influencers in the fight against fake news, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect of awareness and vigilance throughout communities. As these trained warriors work alongside the UP Police, they will play an essential role in making the state’s digital space safer for everyone.