The government does not control social media intermediaries or impose any shackles on its users’ freedom of expression, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said in a written response to the Lok Sabha that the 2021 IT Rules impose specific obligations on intermediaries that no intermediaries may violate the rights granted to citizens under the Constitution.
“The government does not interfere or control social media intermediaries and does not impose any shackles on freedom of expression on its users. The 2021 IT regulations impose specific obligations on intermediaries that no intermediaries may violate the rights granted to citizens under the Constitution,” the minister said.
He said the government’s goal is to ensure an open, secure, trusted and accountable internet for citizens.
In response to a question on whether the government is proposing to appoint an officer with responsibility for social media, the minister informed that the Information Technology (Intermediaries’ Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Ethics) Rules 2021, known as IT -Rules, 2021, a Special Obligation for Intermediaries Regarding the Type of Information to be Hosted, Displayed, Uploaded, Published, Transmitted, Stored or Shared.
Under the Rules, intermediaries are also required to remove any content that violates applicable law as soon as it is brought to their attention either by a court order or by a notice from the relevant government or its authorized body.
“If intermediaries fail to comply with the duty of care under the IT Regulations 2021, they will lose their indemnity under Section 79 of the IT Act and will be liable for follow-up actions under this Act,” the minister said.
Responding to a question about government action against social media companies, Chandrasekhar said the Department of Electronics and Information Technology issued instructions to block a total of 6,775 web links in 2022, including uniform resource locators (URLs) for web pages, websites and content and Accounts on social media platforms.
