Centre asks social media platforms to act against unlawful protest-related content

The Centre has asked major social media platforms to prioritise action against unlawful content related to ongoing protests following complaints from authorised bodies, including law enforcement agencies, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is learnt to have issued an advisory to social media companies on October 8, raising concerns over the circulation of information about the protests that is false, misleading, manipulated or shared without proper context.

The ministry warned that such content could disrupt public order and social harmony, create law and order concerns, and potentially incite violence.

“MeitY has advised large social media platforms to identify such unlawful content and prioritise action based on complaints received from authorised government bodies,” an official source familiar with the development said.

The advisory also asked platforms to label synthetically generated content, particularly when it is presented as depicting events related to the ongoing protests.

The ministry further urged social media companies to cooperate promptly with law enforcement agencies and other authorised government bodies by taking necessary action, sharing information and providing assistance in accordance with the law.

The source said such cooperation must be ensured within the timelines prescribed under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.  (with inputs from PTI)