Guidelines issued for social media, the government said - Offensive content and violence not approved

New Delhi: The central government has announced changes in rules and new guidelines on intermediary accountability for social media companies. Also, the government has released new guidelines for OTT platforms. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar have held a press conference in this regard today. Ravi Shankar Prasad said that foul language is being used on social media. But now the government will not approve objectionable content on social media.

Social media is being used to spread violence- Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar Prasad said that we have seen that people are now using social media to spread violence. He told that social media is divided into two categories, one intermediary and the other significant social media intermediary. Significant social media intermediary has additional duties, we will soon issue notification of user number for this.

Offensive posts against women to be removed within 24 hours- Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar Prasad said that now there will be a three-tier monitoring of social media. A grievance redressal mechanism has to be maintained and the name of the officer handling the grievances will also have to be named. This officer will register the complaint in 24 hours and will resolve it in 15 days. Companies have to remove objectionable posts against women within 24 hours. Companies have to report to the government every month on following the rules. He said that the first person who posted an objectionable post will have to tell the government about it. Rules have to be followed within three months.

Guidelines for OTT platforms

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that there should be a rule for all media platforms now. We are getting hundreds of letters every day to make rules for OTT platforms. Javedkar said that a three-tier arrangement has been made for OTT and digital media.