Since the government has directed Twitter to blockaccounts and remove hashtags pertaining to farmers' protest, the debate isgoing on over the expansive powers of the government and how big tech couldprove to be polarizing factor in the country.
Now the government has come up with new rules under whichsocial media platforms will be governed more strictly. Reportedly, thegovernment is likely to notify the amended intermediary liability guidelinesunder the IT act today.
It is named as Information Technology (Guidelines forIntermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Upon receiving a court order or from the competentauthority, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook among others have totake down content withing 36 hours of getting the notice.
It is noted that the union government had issued noticeto Twitter after the micro-blogging site restored more than 250 twitteraccounts. These accounts were earlier suspended on the order of the governmentunder its 'legal demand.' In a unique situation, the government had demandedTwitter to comply with its January 31 order. However, Twitter refused to complyand unwithold the accounts.
If these new guidelines are notified, the platforms willalso have to trace the first originator of the content after getting a noticefrom the government body. Platforms will have to respond to requests bygovernment within 72 hours for any investigation.
As per reports, now social media intermediaries who aretermed as "significant" will have to appoint a Chief ComplianceOfficer. They will be a nodal point of contact, 24 hours a day for seven days aweek. There will also be a Resident Grievance Officer.