“Breaking News: Delhi High Court Allows MeitY Time to Censor Social Media and OTT Platforms – Here’s What You Need to Know!”
The Indian government is seeking to increase its regulation of social media and OTT (Over-The-Top) platforms to regulate and remove unlawful content. The Delhi High Court has issued notice to social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, WhatsApp and YouTube, in response to a petition requesting the regulation of “unlawful” content on their platforms. This comes after the government’s recent regulations on intermediary guidelines under the IT Act, 2021 which uses these platforms as intermediaries and holds them accountable for the content that is published on their platforms.
The petition was prompted by an incident in which a woman posted derogatory statements about a particular community on her Facebook account. The woman was later arrested and charged under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code. The petitioner claimed that social media companies should be held responsible for allowing such content to be posted on their platforms.
The Delhi High Court’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. While some believe that the regulation is necessary to prevent the spread of hate speech and fake news, many others argue that it infringes on freedom of speech and expression. The government has stated that it is important to maintain a balance between freedom of speech and expression and preventing the spread of fake news and hate speech.
Social media companies are also required to comply with the government’s recent rules on intermediary guidelines. Platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram are required to identify the originator of messages that are sent on their platforms, while Facebook and Twitter are required to remove content that is deemed to be unlawful within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.
Key Takeaway:
1. The Indian government is seeking to regulate and remove unlawful content on social media and OTT platforms.
2. The Delhi High Court has issued notice to social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, in response to a petition requesting regulation of “unlawful” content on their platforms.
3. The government’s recent regulations on intermediary guidelines under the IT Act, 2021 holds social media companies accountable for the content that is published on their platforms.
4. Social media companies are also required to comply with the government’s recent rules on intermediary guidelines.
5. The regulation has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that it infringes on freedom of speech and expression.
