Amidst preparations for the Ayodhya Ram temple event, the government issues warnings against false content, Amazon faces action for deceptive practices, and a WhatsApp scam emerges.
The government has cautioned media outlets and social media platforms against sharing false or manipulated content related to the January 22 Ram temple event in Ayodhya. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory, noting the spread of unverified and fake messages on social media that could disrupt communal harmony.
The advisory urged newspapers, private satellite TV channels, and digital media publishers to avoid disseminating content that could be false or manipulated, potentially disturbing public order. Social media platforms were also advised to make efforts in not hosting or displaying such content.
In a related development, Amazon received a notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority for removing the listing of 'Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prashad,' following a complaint by the Confederation of All India Traders.
The CCPA accused Amazon of engaging in deceptive trade practices, selling sweets under the guise of 'Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad.' The Ministry of Consumer Affairs highlighted that such practices mislead consumers and sought a response from Amazon within a week, warning of necessary action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 if not received. In response, Amazon stated that it is taking appropriate action against misleading product claims.
Additionally, a WhatsApp scam promising free VIP tickets for the pran-pratishtha event has emerged. The Temple Trust clarified that the event is invitation-only, and a deceptive message is circulating, urging users to download an APK file for a VIP pass. Security experts caution against downloading, suspecting potential spyware or malware.