IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday stated there’s a clear consensus within the nation on making social media platforms extra accountable, and warranted that the federal government will carry authorized modifications and laws wanted to take action.
Internet on cellphones and social media platforms have introduced highly effective and transformative modifications, but it surely should include realisation of obligations, the minister stated emphasising that social media and digital world must be made extra accountable.
“Whatever legal changes are required, we will do. Within media groups, the self-regulation needed…self regulation will be done…but whereever needed, we will take all steps to make social media more accountable,” Vaishnaw stated talking at ‘TV9 What India Thinks Today Global Summit’.
Be it within the Parliament or outdoors, there’s a clear consensus within the nation that making social media accountable is crucial, Vaishnaw stated.
“If you see globally too, there is a clear trend that social media needs to be made accountable. It is the same in India. As I have said, legal steps will also be taken,” the minister stated.
No business needs laws, Vaishnaw stated including, “but bringing regulation where needed, and to the extent needed, is government’s responsibility, and we will bring (it)”.
The feedback assume significance as the federal government prepares to finalise new social media guidelines that suggest to present customers a grievance enchantment mechanism towards arbitrary content material moderation, inaction, or takedown selections of huge tech firms comparable to Twitter and Facebook.
Earlier this month, IT ministry circulated the brand new draft guidelines that proposes a authorities panel to listen to consumer appeals towards inaction on complaints made, or towards content-related selections taken by grievance officers of social media platforms. At current, “there is no appellate mechanism provided by intermediaries nor is there any credible self-regulatory mechanism in place”, the IT ministry had stated.
The authorities expects to finalise new social media guidelines earlier than July-end after intensive consultations. The draft modification is broadly anticipated to be opposed by the massive tech platforms through the session course of.
Social media firms comparable to Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp have drawn regulatory warmth prior to now on points comparable to hate speech, dangerous content material and misinformation on their platforms.
There can also be brewing discontent amongst a bit of customers who allege that digital platforms have been indulging in arbitrary acts in taking down content material.
Government has made it clear that no social media firm can undermine the constitutional rights of residents, and web have to be a secure and trusted place with all platforms accountable to their customers.
India enforced new IT middleman guidelines final 12 months, aiming to carry larger accountability for giant tech firms, together with Twitter and Facebook.
The guidelines require social media platforms to take away any content material flagged by authorities inside stipulated timelines, and arrange a strong grievance redressal mechanism with an officer being based mostly within the nation. Social media firms are required to take down posts depicting nudity or morphed images inside 24 hours of receiving a grievance.
Large social media firms — these with 50 lakh customers or extra — additionally should publish a month-to-month compliance report disclosing particulars of complaints obtained and motion taken, as additionally the contents eliminated proactively.
On the difficulty of cyber security and situations of web sites being hacked, Vaishnaw stated that cyber-warfare has develop into a actuality, necessitating the necessity for sturdy cyber military and cyber safety measures.
The authorities is taking a scientific strategy to cyber safety and has developed establishments able to leveraging superior applied sciences for defensive and offensive ways and for speedy response.
“India ranks among top 10 globally in cyber security preparedness. We will consolidate on this further,” Vaishnaw promised as he noticed that Indian startups are creating world-class merchandise on this area.
Users of digital applied sciences too want to pay attention to their obligations and must take security-related facets with utmost seriousness.
On semiconductors, Vaishnaw stated that following a coverage push by the federal government on chip manufacturing, India is taking speedy strides and by 2022-end the primary settlement and know-how switch for this can be a actuality.
“I recently met president and CEO of Belgium-headquartered IMEC, which works on advanced semiconductor technology, and there is absolute commitment towards India,” the minister stated.
He exuded confidence that India will emerge as a big and trusted provider of chips for the world, within the coming years.
Manufacturing of semiconductors in India, will propel electronics business, create new jobs and and usher aggressive costs.
“In the next 4-5 years, employment opportunities in electronics manufacturing will increase to 1 crore from the current 25 lakh…we are working in this direction,” he stated.
In December final 12 months, the federal government authorised a Rs 76,000-crore coverage enhance for semiconductor and show manufacturing ecosystem within the nation, in an bid to place India as a world hub for hi-tech manufacturing.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”