Karnataka cabinet approves AI-based system to curb fake news and hate content
Bengaluru: In a significant move to tackle the growing menace of fake news and harmful digital content, the Karnataka government has decided to develop and implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based monitoring system across the state.
The decision was taken at the state cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, where approval was given for a new project titled ‘Social Media Analytics Solutions’ at an estimated cost of Rs 67.26 crore.
The software will be designed to detect and prevent the spread of misleading information and anti-social content on social media platforms. Addressing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said traditional methods were no longer effective in controlling the rapid spread of fake news.
“It has become extremely difficult to curb false information using conventional approaches. Therefore, the government has felt the need to adopt advanced AI-based technology to address this challenge,” he said.
How the AI system will function:
According to the minister, the proposed software will continuously analyse digital content being circulated on various social media platforms. It will identify posts related to terrorism, hate speech, communal violence, child kidnapping rumours and other activities that pose a threat to law and order.
“The system will not only detect fake news but will also have the capability to trace its origin. This will help authorities take timely action against those responsible for spreading misinformation,” Patil explained.
Real-time alerts to authorities:
The project will be implemented under the supervision of the Home Department in all 31 districts of Karnataka. The AI tool will monitor major platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and others.
Whenever objectionable or dangerous content is detected, the system will immediately send alerts to the concerned district authorities and law enforcement agencies. This is expected to help police respond swiftly to potential threats and prevent incidents of violence or panic.
Officials believe the initiative will play a crucial role in maintaining social harmony and ensuring cyber safety, especially during sensitive situations such as elections, communal tensions or emergencies.
Other key cabinet decisions:
Apart from the AI project, the cabinet also approved amendments to the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act–2026. Under the revised provisions, it has been decided to conduct elections to District Panchayats and Taluk Panchayats using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Patil informed that the government had already resolved to use ballot papers for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections and that the same approach would now be extended to rural local body polls as well.
Discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists was postponed and will be taken up in the next cabinet meeting, the minister added.
The introduction of AI-driven social media monitoring marks a major technological shift in Karnataka’s approach to cyber governance and misinformation control.
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