Addressing a seminar here, he said the same technology has been used for mobilisation and social protests by groups, including Aam Aadmi Party in India and protesters during the 'Arab Spring'.
"We see terrorist groups using the same technology (mobiles or smart phones) for recruitment, for communication and even though with much less success, so far, as a weapon," Menon said.
He said the phone devices have also been used as an instrument to spread "lies and rumours" and even in India, people had to leave their homes in large numbers due to such activities, an apparent reference to exodus of people from North East India mainly from the South two years ago.