Newslink: Social Media In India Nearing Deadline to Co-op With New Indian Rules – By ND News Desk
The India government asked the social media giants Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp Messenger in February to comply with the new IT rules. It was informed earlier these social media applications will be banned in India, if they do not follow these rules by May 25. Also they could lose their intermediary status.
As the deadline is about to end on May 26, the report says the social media platform Facebook has agreed to the central government’s new information technology rules. Facebook spokesperson said that they have to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government.
It is noticed, these platforms have no self-regulations for the content being posted online.  The new rules demands that the social media firms should remove any content flagged by authorities within 24 hrs and setting up a process and time bound complaint redressal mechanism with an officer  based in the country.
It also says the social media companies with more than 5 million users in India have to appoint a chief compliance officer and a nodal contact person. The ministry wants the social media sites to file monthly reports about the grievances filed against their content, how many were taken up and the pending status.
Social Media Users:
While these global social media giants have millions of users; Facebook (300 million active monthly users in India, Instagram (120 million), and Twitter (about 18 million). They have no designated officials who are accessible to the government or to their users.
According to Indian law, criminal action can be taken against them. If people feels unhappy with the content on the platforms, can drag them to court and file case.
Last week, home grown app KOO, India’s alternative to twitter has complied with the new rules. It also accepted the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. It has close to 6 million (60 lakh) users. Facebook also aims to comply the new IT rules. But other social media companies have not come up with response.
The central ministers or officials have not commented on these matters.
Also, read more news at Technology Segment
Social Media In India Nearing Deadline to Co-op With New Indian Rules
