Take Immediate Action Against Offensive Social Media Content About Protests Govt

The government has directed major social media firms to take action on a priority basis against unlawful content related to ongoing protests based on complaints received from authorised bodies, including law enforcement agencies, according to agency reports.

In view of the various protests that are on against the SIR and other political developments, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is learnt to have issued an advisory to social media platforms on October 8.

The Ministry is expressing concern over the online circulation of certain information related to the ongoing protests that is false, misleading, manipulated, or presented out of context. The government is of the view that such content could disturb public order, social tranquillity and lead to law-and-order issues. It could even incite violence, the government felt.

The social media platforms have been asked to label synthetically generated content on their platform, particularly where the content is presented to depict the ongoing events.

“MeitY has advised social media companies to ensure timely cooperation with law enforcement and other authorised government agencies for action and furnishing information, as well as provide assistance as per the applicable law within stipulated timelines under the IT Rules, 2021,” the source said.