Act Now or Face the Law: Govt Cracks Down on Social Media
MeitY advisory calls for swift action on misleading and manipulated content amid protests over electoral roll revisions in Delhi.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Oct: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked social media platforms to strengthen monitoring and act promptly against misinformation, manipulated media and misleading content that could cause public confusion or disturb public order.
In its advisory, the ministry directed social media intermediaries to prioritise government authorities’ requests to remove unlawful content and take appropriate action under applicable laws. It said false, misleading, manipulated or out-of-context information circulating around ongoing public events could create apprehension, disturb social tranquillity and contribute to law-and-order concerns.
The advisory comes amid protests in the national capital demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. INDIA bloc MPs and opposition parties have mobilised around the issue, with demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and attempts to march towards the Election Commission headquarters.
Security has been tightened across central Delhi, with additional police personnel and barricades deployed to regulate movement. Authorities have cited prohibitory orders and permission requirements, while opposition parties continue to question the voter-list revision process.
Old Videos and Manipulated Media Under Scrutiny
MeitY has reminded social media intermediaries of their due-diligence obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The advisory specifically flags several categories of content requiring attention, including old photographs and videos presented as current events, digitally altered or synthetically generated audio-visual material, impersonation of public authorities or individuals, and content likely to incite violence or unlawful activity.
The ministry has asked platforms to take measures to identify, prevent and avoid promoting the dissemination of unlawful information covered by the IT Rules, 2021.
It has also called for manipulated, synthetically generated or misleading material to be appropriately labelled or placed in context, particularly when it is presented as depicting a current event. The aim, according to the advisory, is to reduce the risk of users mistaking fabricated or misleading material for authentic information.
Platforms Asked to Act on Complaints
The ministry has directed platforms to prioritise complaints from authorised government agencies involving content with potential public-order implications. It has also called for stronger monitoring, escalation and grievance-redressal systems to address material that could trigger widespread confusion, panic, violence or other disturbances.
MeitY has further urged platforms to promote awareness among users about checking the authenticity, source and date of information before sharing it. Timely cooperation with law-enforcement agencies and other authorised government bodies has also been emphasised, subject to applicable laws and prescribed timelines.
The advisory states that action by platforms must remain consistent with the IT Act, the 2021 Rules and other applicable legislation, while respecting lawful expression and legitimate public discourse.
“All SMIs are advised to take appropriate and necessary measures in this regard with immediate effect,” the ministry said.
