Govt. proposes amendment to IT Act to curb Social Media fake news

The Information Technology Act (IT Act), 2000 was enacted with a view to give a fillip to electronic transactions, to provide legal recognition for e-commerce and e-transactions, to facilitate e-governance, to prevent computer based crimes and ensure security practices and procedures. The Act came into force on 17th October, 2000.

Section 79 of the IT Act elaborates on the exemption from liabilities of intermediaries in certain cases.  Section 79(2)(c) mentions that intermediaries must observe due diligence while discharging their duties, and also observe such other guidelines as prescribed by the Central Government.  Accordingly, the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011 were notified in April 2011.

Government is committed to freedom of speech and expression and privacy of its citizens as enshrined in the Constitution of India.  Government does not regulate content appearing on social network platform. These social network platforms, though, are required to follow due diligence as provided in section 79 of the Information Technology Act 2000 and the Rules notified therein, subject to  the import of Article 19(2) of the Constitution and ensure that their platforms are not used to commit and provoke terrorism, extremism, violence and crime.

The instances of misuse of social media by criminals and anti-national elements have brought new challenges to the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA).  These include inducement for recruitment of terrorists, circulation of obscene content, spread of disharmony, incitement of violence, public order, fake news etc. A number of lynching incidents were reported in 2018 mostly alleged to be because of Fake News/ rumours being circulated through Whatsapp and other Social Media sites.

A calling attention motion on “Misuse of Socal Media platforms and spreadig of fake News” was admitted in the Parliament (Rajya Sabha) in 2018 (Monsoon session). Hon’ble Minister for Electronics and IT, responding to the  calling attention motion on 26/07/2018, made a detailed statement where he inter alia conveyed to the House the resolve of the Government to strengthen the legal framework and make the social media platforms accountable under the law. 

Subsequently, MeitY prepared the draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2018 to replace the rules notified in 2011. Presently consultation process is underway. The consultation process was initiated with Inter-Ministerial consultations and  thereafter with other  stakeholders,including major Social Media platforms/ messaging services platforms like Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo, WhatsApp and other associations like IAMAI, COAI and ISPAI representing intermediaries.The Government intends to consult all stakeholders in the process. Accordingly, MeitY has commenced public consultation on the draft rules with the timeline of submission of comments by 15^th January, 2019.

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