'Avoid Double Standards', IT Minister's strong jibe at Social Media businesses

New Delhi, February 25: Bringing a huge reform in the social media use and its business IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad adressing the press conference today said that the social media businesses should avoid doulble standards. "You support the police action when the US Capitol is attacked and you condemn the same when India's symbol of power, the Red Fort is attacked? This is totally unacceptable", he said.

 

 

Further he asked the social media businesses to set up a grievance redressal cell that would address the user's grievances within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days. "We shall notify users number for a significant social media intermediary very soon. They will have to have a grievance redressal mechanism, you will also have to name a grievance officer who shall register the grievance within 24 hours and disposal in 15 days", he said.

 

 

 

"This should be only in relation to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, public order, relations with foreign states, or rape, sexually explicit content etc. Social media platforms upon being asked either by a court order or a govt authority will be required to disclose the first originator of mischievous tweet or message as the case may be", he added.

 

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Concerns have been raised over the years about rampant abuse of social media. After having widespread consultations, the Ministry prepared a draft in December 2018 saying there'll be 2 categories, Intermediary which can be social media intermediary and significant social media intermediary.

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