New Misinformation Norms Proposed for Social Media Companies
The Standing Committee on Information Technology is actively considering a series of recommendations for the introduction of more robust regulations to address misinformation, defamatory content, and obscenity on social media platforms. These measures are anticipated to be presented in the Winter Session of Parliament. During a recent meeting, the committee raised concerns regarding the spread of misinformation in the run-up to upcoming elections and questioned digital platforms about their efforts to curb it.
Representatives from various digital platforms, including YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Koo, ShareChat, and Dailyhunt, were asked to provide written submissions within the next 10-15 days. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will provide these platforms with specific guidelines on the information they need to submit.
The committee”s interest in stronger regulations stems from the increased use of digital platforms for sharing fake news, obscene content, and causing harm to other users, often leading to violence. Morphed content generated using artificial intelligence (AI) has exacerbated these issues. The Indian government is reportedly working on the Digital India Bill (DIB), which may replace the Information Technology Act of 2000. The proposed legislation could grant the government broader authority to track, monitor, intercept, moderate, and remove online content.
In response to several instances of non-compliance with India”s content moderation laws, government officials have been warning social media platforms. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, require intermediaries to remove unlawful content within 36 hours of receiving an order from a court or government agency. Members of the Standing Committee have expressed dissatisfaction with the delays and inefficiencies in addressing user grievances about social media content.
The proposed stronger misinformation norms for social media companies come with the weight of potential criminal penalties for non-compliance. The FIR against Twitter in 2021 and the recent notices sent by MeitY to major platforms underline the government”s commitment to enforcing content moderation and addressing pressing issues like child sexual abuse material. As these measures evolve, social media companies will need to adapt quickly to ensure they adhere to the new regulations effectively. The ever-evolving landscape of social media governance in India signifies the growing importance of responsible and accountable digital communication in an age of information proliferation.
