Indian govt amends IT rules, warns social media firms against 'unlawful' content, misinformation

Indian IT minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar on Saturday (October 29) stated that the recent amendments to IT rules will require social media firms to show more due diligence in ensuringthat no illegal content or false information is posted on their platforms.

A day earlier, the Indian Union government stated that it will set up three-member Grievance Appealte Committees (GACs) to address complaintsagainst decisions of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook on hosting contentious content.

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Chandrashekhar said the move was necessitated as the government gets lakhs of messages from citizens stating grievances were not responded to by social media firms despite complaints, PTI reported.

During the briefing, he requested social media companies to cooperate with the government to protect the interests of its 'digital netizens'.

Our government wants to work on a partnership model with all big and small foreign and Indian companies on the internet with the objective of a safe and trusted internet for all its citizens, Chandrasekhar added.

The minister sent a strong warning to firms whether operating in foreign that they cannot conflict with Indian citizens' constitutional rights when those platforms are used in India.

Further adding he stated that the platforms will be required to remove any "misinformation," or "unlawful content" within 72 hours.

The minister said, "We will start with 1-2 GACs...Government is not interested in playing role of ombudsman. It is a responsibility we are taking reluctantly, because the grievance mechanism is not functioning properly."

The minister said that the intention is not to target any firm or platform but to make the internet a safe place.

(With inputs from agencies)

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