Akin to censorship: Editors Guild flags amendments to IT Rules
The scribes’ body said the move has adverse implications for press freedom in the country.
The scribes’ body said the move has adverse implications for press freedom in the country.
Google received a record 37,173 user complaints in July this year in India (up more than 13.6 per cent from June), in compliance with the new IT Rules, 2021, while the company removed 6,89,457 pieces of harmful content in the country in the same period.
A degree of regulation is vital to ensure social media platforms are not used to spew hate or disinformation, says ASHIT KUMAR SRIVASTAVA.
"Twitter Inc initially hired Vinay Prakash through a third party contractor... the initial appointment was done this way to expedite it because Twitter Inc did not have a corporate presence in India..."
"Indian democracy has its bedrock in its Constitution and constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights for every citizen. No social media platform or any other intermediary can destroy our democracy,"
Google removed 634,357 pieces of harmful content for May and 526,866 for June 2021 via its automated detection processes.
Several concerns have been raised over the possibilities of impact on the rights to the freedom of speech and privacy post the implementation of these new norms.
"These guidelines are empowering and protecting users and will ensure a safer and responsible social media ecosystem in India,"
The Centre had moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of all petitions to it, citing multiplicity of proceedings. Several high courts, including Delhi, Bombay, Madras and Kerala High Courts are hearing petitions against the IT rules.
The meaningful debate going forward ought to be on ensuring robust checks and balances on regulatory agencies charged with overseeing the digital world to prevent state overreach, and not on the urgent need for regulation which is self-evident.
