📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Adbh266
Crime
Andhra Pradesh Police Pose as FBI to Press X for Tweet Deletion
✍️ WION
🗓 19 Sep 2026, 05:31 AM
👁 13
The Andhra Pradesh police reportedly impersonated FBI agents to persuade the social media platform X to take down certain posts, according to WION.
The law‑enforcement agency in Andhra Pradesh is alleged to have adopted the identity of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation in an effort to influence the social media platform X. According to the report, police officials contacted X representatives while claiming to be FBI officers, requesting the removal of specific tweets that had drawn their attention.
The approach, described as a deceptive tactic, was aimed at compelling the platform to act without following the usual legal or procedural channels. By presenting themselves as an international investigative body, the officers sought to add weight to their demand for content takedown.
X has not publicly commented on the incident, and the episode raises questions about the propriety of using false credentials to obtain compliance from private tech companies. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in regulating online content and the methods employed by authorities to enforce their directives.
No further details about the nature of the tweets or the outcome of the request have been disclosed. The story highlights the intersection of policing, digital platforms, and the ethical boundaries of state actions in the cyber domain.
The approach, described as a deceptive tactic, was aimed at compelling the platform to act without following the usual legal or procedural channels. By presenting themselves as an international investigative body, the officers sought to add weight to their demand for content takedown.
X has not publicly commented on the incident, and the episode raises questions about the propriety of using false credentials to obtain compliance from private tech companies. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in regulating online content and the methods employed by authorities to enforce their directives.
No further details about the nature of the tweets or the outcome of the request have been disclosed. The story highlights the intersection of policing, digital platforms, and the ethical boundaries of state actions in the cyber domain.