UP Police Starts "Digital Warriors" Campaign to Fight Cybercrime and False News

In order to combat fake news and cybercrime, the Uttar Pradesh Police have unveiled a new effort to recruit young people and social media influencers as "Digital Warriors." The initiative, which is led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, intends to engage college and university students as well as social media influencers to assist law enforcement in thwarting false information and increasing public awareness.

The success of the "Digital Volunteers" program, which was introduced in 2018 and used WhatsApp Community Groups to link over 10 lakh individuals and 2 lakh police officers, is being built upon by this project. These organizations have played a significant role in dispelling false information and highlighting the outstanding work done by the police.

Why Do We Need Digital Warriors?
DGP Prashant Kumar underlined the value of teaching young people to think critically so they can evaluate and validate information. In their capacity as Digital Warriors, they will assist in reporting false information, increase public awareness of cybercrime, and warn their families and communities about the perils of false information and online threats.

Results from a test initiative with the Digital Warriors during the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj were quite positive. The program will now be implemented at the state level by the UP Police.

Digital Warriors' Selection Criteria
Four groups of Digital Warriors will be chosen according to their areas of contribution:

Countering Fake News: Recognizing, disproving, and warning the public about the hazards of fake news.

Educating populations about cybercrime and its prevention strategies is known as "spreading cyber awareness."

Cyber Trainers: Acting as instructors to assist others in identifying false information and cyberthreats.

Promoting Police Campaigns: Using innovative content to draw attention to the admirable actions and endeavors of the police.

In addition to having a spotless record, prospective students and influencers must complete a thorough application that includes a pledge to uphold Indian laws, refrain from disseminating false information, and adhere to ethical behavior. Participation will not be compensated and will be completely voluntary.

Cyber Clubs and Workshops
The UP Police will host workshops at schools, colleges, institutions, and police lines to provide Digital Warriors with the expertise they need. District cyber cell trainers, fact-checkers, and cybercrime specialists will exchange technical know-how and useful perspectives. Additionally, "Cyber Clubs" will be promoted in schools and colleges, with one instructor serving as the nodal officer. To raise awareness, these groups will carry out tasks including creating posters, coming up with catchphrases, and creating content on social media.

Operational Procedures and Guidelines

Digital Warriors will only be chosen if they have a clean reputation and are not involved in any contentious or unfavorable actions. A Google Form will be used to solicit applications, and social media influencers from outside Uttar Pradesh are welcome to apply as well.

Voluntary Undertaking: Prior to being chosen, candidates must provide a written commitment pledging to uphold Indian laws, prevent distributing false information, refrain from engaging in cybercrime, and dispel fake news. Participation will not be compensated and will be completely voluntary.

Monthly Reporting: Digital Warriors will provide a monthly report outlining their activities, which will include advocating police initiatives, spreading critical information broadly, and refuting bogus news.

Nodal Officer Appointment: To monitor the program and manage social media campaigns, each district will designate a senior officer, such as SP Crime, DCP Crime, or ADC Crime, as the nodal officer.

Respect for Responsibilities: Participants will be removed from the program if they don't demonstrate interest, abuse their position, or break the conditions of their declaration.

Rewards and Recognition: Prominent Digital Warriors will receive rewards and recognition. In addition to receiving awards, keepsakes, and public recognition from district and state police, their excellent social media contributions will be broadcast on official venues.

The UP Police's Digital Warrior program is a progressive approach to involving young people and use their technological know-how to address the issues of cybercrime and fake news. These Digital Warriors will act as a strong barrier against false information and online threats with the right guidance and assistance, enhancing everyone's safety and security in the digital realm.