BENGALURU: The Karnataka government will introduce a new cyber law to contain the spread of fake news and propagation of hate speech on social media and rein in those behind such posts, state home minister G Parameshwara said on Tuesday.

The minister said under the new law, the country heads of social media platforms will be held accountable for the content propagated through their outlets.
In a coordinated move, chief minister Siddaramaiah said in Mangaluru that strict action will be taken against individuals who indulge in defaming others and spreading fake news on social media.

Speaking in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said a committee comprising experts from the home, information technology and cybercrime prevention departments will be set up, and based on their report, the legislation will be drafted.
The minister claimed that fake news and rumours against the state government, the chief minister and other ministers were being spread online.
“Chief minister Siddaramaiah has taken this issue very seriously and he will soon have a meeting with the representatives of major social media platforms,” Parameshwara said.