Upon the introduction of new IT Rules, along with other authorities, social media giants like WhatsApp and Twitter, and Google were asked to comply with rules.
However, this led to an intensified friction between the Government of India and Twitter as the latter has failed to with the IT (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has served last notice to the social media giant, Twitter with respect to compliance mechanism related to IT Rules.
According to the Ministry, a letter has been addressed to Mr. Jim Baker of Twitter wherein it has been said that the particular company has failed to provide the details of its Chief Compliance Officer. The Ministry also pointed out that the resident grievance officer and nodal contact person are not related to the company.
It also been stated that the mentioned office address is not actually of Twitter but of a law firm situated in India.
Due to a gesture of goodwill, the government served one last notice to the company as the actual last date was May 26. The government clarified that upon non-compliance of last notice, the protection granted to Twitter as an intermediary under Section 79 of IT Act would be withdrawn. The government also warned of penal consequences.
The Ministry submitted that the reluctant behaviour of Twitter shows its lack of commitment and the efforts towards providing a safer experience to its users on its platform. It was also stated the company has refused to form mechanisms that would enable the citizens’ to timely resolve their issues and in a transparent manner.
It is to be noted that entities like Google and WhatsApp have challenged the constitutionality of new IT Rules before the Delhi HC. Moreover, few news portals have also approached the High Court w.r.t to the flaws in the Rules.
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