Since the government has directed Twitter to block accounts and remove hashtags pertaining to farmers' protest, the debate is going on over the expansive powers of the government and how big tech could prove to be polarizing factor in the country.
Now the government has come up with new rules under which social media platforms will be governed more strictly. Reportedly, the government is likely to notify the amended intermediary liability guidelines under the IT act today.
It is named as Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Upon receiving a court order or from the competent authority, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook among others have to take down content withing 36 hours of getting the notice.
It is noted that the union government had issued notice to Twitter after the micro-blogging site restored more than 250 twitter accounts. These accounts were earlier suspended on the order of the government under its 'legal demand.' In a unique situation, the government had demanded Twitter to comply with its January 31 order. However, Twitter refused to comply and unwithold the accounts.
If these new guidelines are notified, the platforms will also have to trace the first originator of the content after getting a notice from the government body. Platforms will have to respond to requests by government within 72 hours for any investigation.
As per reports, now social media intermediaries who are termed as "significant" will have to appoint a Chief Compliance Officer. They will be a nodal point of contact, 24 hours a day for seven days a week. There will also be a Resident Grievance Officer.