2013 · GS Paper 3 · Q22 · 10 marks
What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present?
In short
Social networking sites are platforms where users build profiles, connect and share content in real time, and their persistence, reach and anonymity create risks of communal rumours, radicalisation, espionage and cybercrime. Morphed images on these sites triggered the 2012 exodus of North-East people from Bengaluru.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 270 words
Persistent and visible
Posts stay online and reach audiences far beyond the intended circle, the "networked publics" danah boyd describes.
Spreadable and anonymous
A click forwards content to millions, and fake accounts let users hide their identity.
Searchable
Profiles and posts are easy to mine, so personal data and locations become open to hostile watchers.
Communal rumours
Morphed images triggered the exodus of North-East people from Bengaluru in 2012, and a fake video inflamed the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013.
Radicalisation
Terror groups groom recruits online, as the 2014 arrest of the Bengaluru executive behind the pro-ISIS handle "ShamiWitness" showed.
Espionage
Hostile agencies honey-trap defence personnel through fake profiles, leading the Army in 2020 to order personnel to delete 89 apps, including Facebook.
Jurisdiction and cybercrime
Data on foreign servers slows investigations, while identity theft, fraud and cyberstalking outpace police capacity and cyber forensic skills.
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Social Networking Sites4 questions
Asked in 4 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026Explain how fake news and disinformation pose threat to Internal Security and Public Order in Indian context? In this regard, discuss salient features of amendments in respect of Information Technology (Intermediatory Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. (Answer in 150 words)
- 2024Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies to address the problem.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.