1 hr ago
Centre Urges Platforms to Prioritise Content Takedown Orders
India’s technology ministry has asked social media companies to watch more carefully for misleading posts.
It says companies should give priority to government requests to address content that could cause public-order problems.
This includes old videos made to look new, altered or computer-generated media, and posts pretending to come from officials.
Platforms should add labels or context to misleading media and help users check where information came from.
They should also respond to complaints and work with authorised agencies under the law.
The ministry says these steps must still respect lawful speech.
The advisory was issued while protests were taking place in Delhi over changes to voter lists.
MeitY told social media platforms to strengthen monitoring and promptly prioritise government takedown orders concerning potential public-order risks.
The advisory identifies misleading or out-of-context material, old footage presented as current, synthetic or altered media, impersonation and content that may incite unlawful activity.
Platforms were asked to label or contextualise manipulated content, encourage users to verify information, and improve escalation and grievance processes.
MeitY cited obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the 2021 intermediary rules, while saying actions must respect lawful expression and legitimate public discourse.
The notice came amid Delhi protests over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision and demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Who
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and social media platforms.
- What
- MeitY advised platforms to strengthen monitoring and prioritise authorised government takedown requests for content that could threaten public order.
- Where
- India; the protests mentioned were in central Delhi, including around Jantar Mantar.
- When
- The advisory was issued amid protests in Delhi; no exact date is specified in the article.
- Why
- The ministry said misleading, manipulated or out-of-context content could cause confusion, panic, public-order disturbances or law-and-order concerns.
Government Advisory
Free Expression and Opposition Concerns
Content controls and public order
Government Advisory
MeitY says platforms should prioritise authorised government reports and address misleading content that could cause confusion, violence or public-order disturbances.
Free Expression and Opposition Concerns
The advisory says platform action must comply with law and respect lawful expression and legitimate public discourse.
Electoral-roll revision
Government Advisory
Authorities cited prohibitory orders and permission requirements as police restricted movement during the Delhi protests.
Free Expression and Opposition Concerns
Opposition parties questioned the voter-list revision process and demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities.
Key facts
- Issuing ministry
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Relevant law
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Relevant rules
- Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
- Requested platform measures
- Strengthen monitoring, prioritise authorised agency reports, label or contextualise manipulated media, and improve grievance redressal
- Protest context
- Demands to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Locations mentioned
- Jantar Mantar and attempted marches towards the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi
- Stated safeguard
- Actions should comply with applicable law and respect lawful expression and legitimate public discourse
Quotes
MeitY
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
“It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that certain information, including false, misleading, manipulated or out-of-context content, is being circulated through various social media platforms in relation to ongoing public events and developments. Such content, particularly when presented as current or authentic information, has the potential to cause public confusion, create apprehension, disturb public order and social tranquility, and ConCon”
NDTV
Sources
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