Modi government’s plan to regulate social media because it is causing “unimaginable disruption” to democracy and threatens sovereignty and security runs counter to the very principle of internet-based communications in the 21st century. Fighting fake news and rumours should not be turned into an excuse for expanding surveillance on citizens.
Modi govt plan to regulate social media mustn’t become excuse for more citizen surveillance
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A mature, self confident, strong democratic nation should not give in to paranoia. It is true that there is a lot of toxic sludge sloshing around on social media, which can cause social strife and violence. Also reams of false / fake / misleading news and reports. However, the bulk of it seems to be coming from the right hand side.