In an assertive move, the government is extending a helping hand to citizens aggrieved by objectionable content, including deep fakes, on social media platforms.

Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) will develop a user-friendly platform enabling individuals to report violations of IT rules by social media platforms.

Speaking to the media following a meeting with representatives of social media platforms, Chandrasekhar emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for IT rule violations starting immediately.

The government’s proactive stance aims to combat the rising concerns surrounding deep fakes and objectionable content circulating on these platforms.

Under this initiative, Meity will not only assist users in reporting IT rule violations but will also facilitate the process of filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against the responsible social media intermediaries.

The minister clarified that if platforms disclose the origin of objectionable content, FIRs will be lodged against the entities responsible for posting such content.

Social media platforms have been issued a seven-day ultimatum to align their terms of use with the existing IT rules.

This stern deadline underscores the urgency and seriousness with which the government views the need for compliance.

This strategic move empowers citizens to actively participate in maintaining digital decorum by providing a direct channel for reporting and redressal.

By streamlining the process of filing FIRs, the government intends to foster a safer online environment and hold social media platforms accountable for the content circulating within their domains.

As the government takes decisive steps to curb the proliferation of objectionable content, citizens are now equipped with a potent tool to ensure the accountability of social media platforms.

This bold initiative signifies a shift towards a more responsible and secure digital landscape, where users can navigate social media spaces without fear of encountering harmful or misleading content.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1587349