Twitter, Facebook May Not Be Able To Operate In India From May 26

26 May Twitter, Facebook May Not Be Able To Operate In India From May 26

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITy) issued some guidelines for the big social media platforms, around three months ago. The deadline of which will end by 26th May 2021. If giant social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & YouTube don’t follow the legal rules, then there is a high probability that their operations may end in India.

As per the reports, none of the platforms have worked by the new intermediary guidelines. In fact, only ‘Koo’ which is an Indian version of the Twitter app, has obeyed the government commands from days ahead of its due date, that is, 25th May 2021.

WHAT THE MINISTRY DEMANDED?

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITy) introduced the new IT regulations in February 2021 and hence gave a three-month notice period to the respective channels. Recently, these US-based corporates have urged for some time till the next six months due to the awaiting response from their headquarters. In case they fail to abide by MEITy jurisdiction, then they may end up losing their protection & status as intermediaries. Moreover, the government of India can even charge a criminal action against them, as stated by the top officials.

• The government asked the social media intermediaries for the designation of a Chief Compliance Officer, a Resident Grievance Officer, and a Nodal Contact Person. All these officers must residents of India. But, only ‘Koo’ has followed it yet.
• Further, the notable companies need to release a monthly compliance report depicting information about the complaints obtained and actions granted. Also, everything about the later removal of content from online media. 
• The social media companies are asked to provide their physical address of contact located in India. This must be published on their official mobile app or website, or both.
• The government of India wants accountability from the social media companies as per the Digital Media Ethics Code Rules. These rules seek the deployment of an authoritative mechanism that comprises a board with spokespersons from Foreign Affairs, I&B, Information Technology, Defence, Home, Law, and Development of Women and Children. 
• In fact, they enjoy ‘Sou Motu powers’ to conduct hearings on complaints against the breach of the Code of Ethics. The government intends to appoint a ‘Joint Secretary’ or ‘Authorized Officer’ who can instruct for content blocking.

REASONS BEHIND SUCH LEGAL IMPOSITIONS

Many recent online incidents have compelled the GOI to take such an action. Consider the following instances;

• This is due to the rising importance of public interface for complaints as well as the demand for an acknowledgment structure for the pleas.
• With non-action over abuses, arbitrary suspension of accounts, and discrimination over social media platforms, there is a flood of user complaints against Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• In the recent Congress toolkit controversy, the Delhi Police allegedly visited the local office of  Twitter. This happened after Twitter marked the tweets of a BJP representative Sambit Patra as ‘manipulated media’.
• This alleged judgment by Twitter has provoked massive agitation among the Indian users spread in the nation.

CONCLUSION

Meanwhile, there are chances that government and social media giants agree on mid-ground considering the significance of such platforms. Twitter has contributed a lot by becoming an integral SOS helpline during the rise of the second wave of Covid-19. In the same way, Facebook has also supported small-scale businesses to go digital almost free of charge. As users can reach clients by creating a product catalog page on this platform. It would be curious to find out the take of the government on the non-compliance of its orders by the social media intermediaries.