New Delhi: Amid protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Ministry
of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked major social media platforms to prioritise action against unlawful content linked to ongoing public events, including complaints received from authorised government agencies. In an advisory issued on October 8, the ministry flagged the circulation of information related to ongoing protests that is allegedly false, misleading, manipulated or presented out of context. It also asked platforms to label synthetically generated content, particularly when it is presented as depicting current events. "It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that certain information, including false, misleading, manipulated or out-of-context content, is being circulated through various social media platforms in relation to ongoing public events and developments. Such content, particularly when presented as current or authentic information. has the potential to cause public confusion, create apprehension, disturb public order and social tranquillity, and contribute to Iaw-and-order concems," the official statement read. The ministry warned that such content could disturb public order and social harmony, raise 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," the advisory said.
Key Directions In MeitY’s Advisory To Social Media Platforms
- Identify unlawful content: Take appropriate measures to identify, prevent and avoid promoting the spread of unlawful information covered under the IT Rules, 2021.
- Prioritise government complaints: Give priority to reports and complaints from authorised government agencies about content that could affect public order, and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable law.
- Label manipulated content: Identify and appropriately label or contextualise manipulated, synthetically generated or misleading content, particularly when it is presented as depicting a current event.
- Promote user awareness: Encourage users to verify the authenticity, source and date of information before sharing or forwarding content.
- Cooperate with law enforcement: Ensure timely cooperation with law enforcement and other authorised government agencies, including providing information and assistance in accordance with applicable law and within the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021.
The advisory comes amid protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the SIR exercise, which has drawn opposition parties and other groups into a growing confrontation with the Election Commission.
The ministry has called on platforms to act on complaints from authorised agencies and cooperate with law enforcement in accordance with applicable law.
