Aiming to check fake and provocative content being spread on social media platforms during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, social media giants and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) will come up with a 'code of ethics' by Wednesday evening. This was decided after a high-level meeting convened by the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday to discuss social media content post implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The EC had summoned representatives of Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Google, Sharechat, BigoTV and Tiktok for the meeting.
The issues discussed included the appointment of dedicated grievance channel for expeditious action by the organisations, pre-certification of all political advertisements on social media platforms by the Media Certification And Monitoring Committee of the EC and the "evolution of a mechanism by social media platforms to prevent abuse on their platforms". Sources in the EC said the meeting also focused on evolving a notification mechanism by social media platforms for acting upon the violations of Section 126 of Representation of the People Act, 1951 and preventing misuse of these platforms.
According to sources, ShareChat is working with a fact checking agency to keep in check fake news that might enter the system. Tagging of content creator: whenever a post leaves our platform with the original creator's user ID ShareChat can easily identify who has originally shared the content.
"Everyone who signs up on ShareChat's platform requires a registered mobile number. As per request, ShareChat can assist local low enforcement authorities and to identify individuals if they are proved to be involved in spreading any kind of fake news or hate speech," said the sources. "Representatives of Google assured the poll body that it can set up a system to fight fake news in 24 hours," sources added.
Besides installing safeguards, the EC wants social media platforms to voluntarily inform users about the consequences of indulging in "unlawful conduct during the elections and, in particular, the 48-hour silent period" immediately preceding polling day. It has also asked social media intermediaries to adopt a general code of ethics in view of the electoral contest.
According to sources, social media platforms, for their part, have taken various steps to curb the circulation of fake news that may either favour certain political parties or incite the public. Last month, Facebook expanded its local fact-checking network and introduced stricter rules for political advertisements in India. WhatsApp — a social messaging platform with over 200 million users in India — introduced product changes and undertook roadshows after false messages circulated on it fanned communal tensions and sparked mob violence. Twitter has also overhauled its policies to boost transparency and rein in misinformation.