Social Media Sites Must Remove Content in 36 Hours of Order, Says Govt in Draft Digital, OTT Platform Rules - watsupptoday.com
Social Media Sites Must Remove Content in 36 Hours of Order, Says Govt in Draft Digital, OTT Platform Rules
Posted 25 Feb 2021 01:39 PM

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Social Media Sites Must Remove Content in 36 Hours of Order, Says Govt in Draft Digital, OTT Platform Rules
25-February-2021

The central government has finalised the rules to regulate internet-based business and organisations � social media companies, OTT streaming services and digital news outlets, among others � as it plans to introduce a sea change in legislation to assert more control over powerful Big Tech firms.

Under the new Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the government plans to mandated social media companies like Facebook and Twitter to erase contentious content as early as possible, but not later than 36 hours, after a government or legal order.

These companies must also provide information and help with investigations within 72 hours of a request from authorities, said the draft rules, a copy of which News18.com has reviewed. Further, if a post depicts an individual in any sexual act or conduct, then companies must disable or remove such content within a day of receiving a complaint, the rules added.

The latest draft rules � which would be legally enforceable � have been prepared weeks after the government�s dispute with Twitter after the social media giant ignored orders to remove content over farmers� protests.

The draft proposal also requires companies to appoint a chief compliance officer, another executive for coordinating on law enforcement and a �grievance redressal officer�. All must be resident Indian citizens.

The rules would also apply across other digital and online media, the draft proposal said. �A publisher shall take into consideration India�s multi-racial and multi-religious context and exercise due caution and discretion when featuring the activities, beliefs, practices, or views of any racial or religious group,� the draft rules said.

Referring to films and other entertainment, including web-based serials, the draft rules called for a �classification rating� to describe content and advise discretion. Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have faced complaints in India for obscenity. Police in Uttar Pradesh questioned an Amazon executive for nearly four hours on Tuesday over allegations that a political drama, �Tandav�, hurt religious sentiments and caused public anger.

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