According to the new IT rules in India, social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter may face legal consequences for non-compliance, but they will not be banned.
There was panic among social media users that Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter would be banned in India.
The government made this decision due to concerns about teenagers being influenced by inappropriate content on Facebook (and getting addicted to it. In fact, many people Buy Facebook Followers cheap, as many websites let you Buy FB Followers).
However, the new IT rules have addressed this concern. The new Information Technology Rules 2021 have come into effect today after a three-month compliance window. These rules will not result in the banning of these social media platforms. The guidelines were first released in February.
According to the new rules, social media platforms with more than 50 lakh registered users, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Indian app Koo, are classified as large platforms. The new IT rules emphasize the need for these platforms to appoint a resident grievance officer, actively monitor content, provide monthly compliance reports for Indian users, and establish self-regulation mechanisms as part of a grievance redressal system.
There was concern among social media users that failure to comply with the new IT Rules 2021 could result in platforms being banned in India. Subsection 1 of section 79 of the IT Rules 2021 states that when an intermediary fails to observe these rules, they will not be protected by the provisions of section 79 of the Act and may be subject to punishment under relevant laws, including the Act and the Indian Penal Code.
Additionally, section 79 of the new IT rules grants digital media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp protection from liability for posts made on their networks, third-party information, or data.
If social media platforms fail to adhere to the new IT Rules 2021, they will lose their legal immunity and be subject to legal proceedings.
According to sub-section 1 of section 79 of the IT rules, an intermediary will not be held accountable for any third-party information, data, or communication link made accessible or hosted by them, except as stated in sub-sections (2) and (3).
According to the new IT Rules 2021, social media apps such as Facebook and Twitter may face consequences for non-compliance with the regulations regarding content shared on their platforms. However, the rules do not specify any bans for non-compliance.
WhatsApp has filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court challenging the government’s new digital rules. The company argues that the requirement to provide access to encrypted messages will compromise privacy protections. The petition, filed on Tuesday evening, seeks to declare the rule requiring message service providers to identify the first originator of flagged messages as a violation of privacy rights provided by the constitution.
Facebook and Google released a joint statement on Tuesday, stating that they will adhere to the new IT regulations of the country. A representative from Google stated that the company has made substantial investments in product modifications, resources, and staff to effectively combat illegal content and comply with local laws in all the regions where it operates.
The spokesperson stated that they acknowledge the ongoing nature of their efforts to maintain platform security. They will continue to improve existing approaches, update policies, and provide transparency regarding decision-making processes.
Large social media platforms and social media apps need to implement operational processes
New intermediary guidelines for social media companies and new rules and new intermediary guidelines and new rules for information technology companies fro a government official and new guidelines for social media platforms and social platforms safely express the supreme court new regulations to improve efficiencies and get more engagement and Facebook remains committed to making changes within the three month deadline.
Indian alternatives to Facebook and Twitter are gaining traction.
In the past year, ShareChat, a social media platform developed in India, experienced a significant increase in users after the ban on Chinese apps, gaining 59 million users overnight. The Indian-made Twitter alternative, Koo, has received substantial support from the government, while Twitter is currently engaged in ongoing conflicts with authorities in the country, most recently regarding the assignment of a manipulated media tag to a “toolkit” shared by Bharatiya Janata Party members.
These native platforms have frequently claimed that foreign companies do not comply with regulations and have advocated for protectionist policies. Their aim is to establish a market for themselves by hindering competition from abroad, but this approach poses risks for the overall market.
Pahwa expressed the need to limit the power of all platforms and ensure fair competition based on technology and resources, rather than influencing public policy to benefit their businesses. The presence of government-backed crony capitalism in the tech industry is something that should be avoided.
The rules pose a threat to democracy. They also harm India’s reputation internationally. It is unappealing to do business in a country that makes sudden and poorly planned law changes. Moreover, the government overlooks the significant consequences of its demands.
The Center of Democracy and Technology pointed out that if one major country were to implement and enforce these regulations, it could potentially lead to large messaging platforms either withdrawing from certain areas, such services not being available worldwide.
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