New AI system will track misinformation, hate speech, and public unrest in real time across major social platforms.
In a pioneering move toward technology-driven policing, the Bengaluru City Police has announced plans to deploy a sophisticated AI-based social media monitoring and analytics system. Designed to enhance public safety and digital vigilance, the platform will scan and analyze social media content to identify misinformation, hate speech, and potential law and order threats.
As outlined in the department’s latest tender document, the system will utilize advanced artificial intelligence, including natural language processing (NLP), sentiment analysis, and machine learning. The AI will monitor platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and public forums to detect harmful content in real time.
A Step Toward Smart Surveillance
Officials say the system will support real-time threat detection, keyword and hashtag tracking, and analysis of digital trends that could lead to unrest. Using open-source intelligence (OSINT), the platform will also help trace online actors spreading false or inflammatory information.
“With this initiative, we’re not just observing digital conversations—we’re actively preventing real-world consequences stemming from online content,” said a senior official involved in the project.
The AI-powered dashboard will allow officers to respond more quickly and strategically, with real-time alerts and case prioritization based on risk levels and impact.
Ethics and Oversight
The announcement has drawn attention from privacy and civil rights groups, who have raised concerns about surveillance overreach.
Digital rights experts are urging transparency and accountability in the rollout. “The tool should not become a digital dragnet. Public data or not, surveillance must be limited, ethical, and legally sound,” one expert noted.
Bengaluru Police has clarified that the tool will only analyze publicly available data and will be governed by a framework of internal protocols, audit trails, and officer training.
A Broader Tech Vision
This system is the latest in a series of smart policing tools adopted by the city. Bengaluru has already implemented ASTraM (an AI-based traffic monitoring platform) and is experimenting with AI avatars to deliver public safety messages.
The new platform is expected to integrate with existing systems like KSP FactCheck, with the first phase focusing on high-risk areas before being scaled citywide.
Next Steps
The vendor selection process is currently underway, with technical evaluations and compliance benchmarks being prioritized. Training sessions for police officers are planned as part of the rollout strategy.
Conclusion:
As Bengaluru positions itself as a leader in AI-driven civic tech, the success of this initiative will depend not just on how smart the software is but how responsibly it’s used.
