Advertisement

Updated July 23rd, 2021 at 11:10 IST

Twitter tried to divert attention from non-compliance of IT rules: Centre tells Parliament

The Centre stressed that Twitter expressing concern over the safety of its employees was an attempt to "divert attention" from its non-compliance with IT rules.

Reported by: Akhil Oka
Twitter
Image: AP/PTI/Pixabay | Image:self
Advertisement

The Centre informed Parliament on Thursday that Twitter expressing concern over the safety of its employees was an attempt to "divert attention" from its non-compliance with the IT rules. Union MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar revealed this in a response to a question from CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas. His reference was to Twitter India's statement dated May 27 in which the social media giant was apprehensive about the safety of its staff and freedom of expression.

It also lamented the purported use of "intimidation tactics" by the police, indirectly referring to Delhi Police's Special Cell teams visiting its offices in Delhi and Gurugram to serve a notice in connection with the 'toolkit' matter. Maintaining that fundamental rights cannot be infringed by anyone, Chandrasekhar affirmed, "Government is committed to the growth of a vibrant technology and Internet ecosystem in the country. Government has also assured that representatives of social media platforms including Twitter remain safe in India and there is no threat to their personal safety and security". 

Twitter faces ire over non-compliance

Twitter has been sued in the Delhi High Court over purported non-compliance with the Centre's new IT rules. The petition filed by advocate Amit Acharya argued that Twitter must perform its statutory and executive duties as it is a "significant social media intermediary" as per the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Emphasising that he is deprived of his statutory right to lodge a complaint in the capacity as a Twitter user, he sought a direction for the appointment of a Resident Grievance Officer. 

At the outset, Justice Rekha Palli made it clear that the microblogging service has no choice but to comply if the rules are in place. After weeks of inaction, Twitter India announced on July 11 that it has appointed Vinay Prakash as the new Resident Grievance Officer. Apart from informing the IT Ministry about its physical contact address in India, it also published the compliance report for the period from May 26, 2021, to June 25, 2021.

New rules for social media intermediaries: 

  • Appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules. Such a person should be a resident of India
  • Appoint a Nodal Contact Person for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies. Such a person shall be a resident of India
  • Appoint a Resident Grievance Officer who shall perform the functions mentioned under Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Such a person shall be a resident of India
  • Publish a monthly compliance report mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken on the complaints as well as details of contents removed proactively by the significant social media intermediary
  • An intermediary upon receiving actual knowledge in the form of an order by a court or being notified by the Appropriate Govt. or its agencies through an authorized officer should not host or publish any information which is prohibited under any law in relation to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign countries etc
  • In cases where significant social media intermediaries remove or disable access to any information on their own accord, then a prior intimation for the same shall be communicated to the user who has shared that information with a notice explaining the grounds and reasons for such action. Users must be provided with an adequate and reasonable opportunity to dispute the action taken by the intermediary
Advertisement

Published July 23rd, 2021 at 11:10 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

INDI Seals Seat-sharing Deal in Bihar, RJD to Contest on 26 Seats, Cong 9
2 minutes ago
Congress Press Conference
9 minutes ago
Adani Green Adopts Robotics for Solar Module Maintenance
10 minutes ago
Electric Vehicle
12 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE
12 minutes ago
Sunita Kejriwal urged people to send ‘messages of support’ to Delhi CM
15 minutes ago
A poster of Crew
18 minutes ago
"We never celebrated Holi after the incident (the murder), I felt that today is Holi for us,” Alka Rai, wife of formerBJP MLA Krishnanand Rai said.
20 minutes ago
PM Modi & BillGates
25 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo