Preparation for strictness on Facebook-Twitter: Will be able to complain about social media platforms to the government; Grievance Committee will be formed within 3 months

Social media users will soon be able to complain to the central government about platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The government is going to constitute a Grievance Committee in the coming 3 months. The Central Government gave information about this by issuing a gazette notification on Friday.

The exercise to make these committees was going on since last year. The IT Ministry has also held several meetings with social media companies on this subject. Let us tell you that during Corona, Twitter refused to pay attention to the complaints of the government saying that the laws of India do not apply to it.

How will this committee be?

The committee, being formed by the government, will have a chairman and two full-time members appointed by the central government. One of these members shall be an ex-officio member and two shall be independent members. Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the Grievance Officer can appeal to this Committee within 30 days from the date of discussion with the Grievance Officer.

Action will be taken on the complaint of sensitive matter within 24 hours

According to the notification issued on Friday, the Grievance Appellate Panel (GAP) will be constituted within 90 days. After this, users will be able to register their complaints. If a complaint comes to the panel on any sensitive matter, the tech company will have to take action within 24 hours.

If the company receives a complaint regarding the removal of objectionable content, then the primary action will have to be taken within 72 hours. Any other complaint will have to be processed within 15 days so that the content does not go viral.

What are the things tech companies need to keep in mind?

Tech companies must ensure that their platforms do not publish obscene, abusive, child harrasment abuse, content that violates one's privacy or harassing based on caste birth.

Do not promote religious hysteria or inflammatory speech, or content that violates any law.

There should not be any content injuring the unity, integrity, defence, security, and sovereignty of India.

Content that spreads viruses/spam, deceiving any person or organization will not be promoted.

Companies will have to accept the committee's point of view

The committee to be formed by the government will work on the digital model i.e. online hearing. Every citizen of the country can complain in this panel. The platform against which the panel will issue its verdict will have to be published on its website. If the panel decides to compensate any aggrieved users, then the tech company will have to pay compensation at the given time.

How did the idea of ​​forming a committee come about?

The idea of ​​setting up the committee came after a heated argument broke out between Twitter and the IT ministry. During the Corona period, Twitter did not heed the complaints of the government. Twitter had told the ministry that the Indian government's laws do not apply to it.

IT Minister said - following the law is everyone's responsibility

Twitter challenged some orders of the Central Government in the Karnataka High Court. In this matter, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav had said – no matter who is a company in the country, from any sector, they should follow the law of India. It is everyone's responsibility to follow the law. Work is going on fast on how to make social media accounts. This work should be done on three levels. First - self-regulation, second - industry regulation, and third - government regulation.

Government troubled by those spreading fake news

The Center believes that through social media some people are setting their agenda and spreading rumors. The government had asked Twitter to take action against such people.

The action was ordered against the account of a Khalistan supporter from Twitter.

Orders were given to close the accounts of those spreading false information related to the farmers' movement.

The action was also ordered on tweets criticizing the government for its handling of the Corona epidemic.

Twitter did not follow the order

Several social media companies, including Twitter, did not act on the government's request to remove the content. The IT ministry had also warned Twitter of registering a criminal case for non-compliance with orders.

Twitter cited freedom of expression in this matter. The company said that if we remove the content against any user without notice, then it will be a violation of the user's rights.

Also Read: Internet media companies will have to accept complaints in 24 hours, the government is considering forming a committee