Centre willing to introduce stricter social media norms, says IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

If the Upper House has consensus, we are willing to introduce even stricter social media rules for micro-blogging sites, Vaishnaw said

Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Rajya Sabha on Friday the government is willing to bring stricter rules to make social media companies accountable and ensure the safety of the citizens on the internet if there is consensus in the House.

He said social media needs to be made more accountable and stricter rules in this regard are required. "We have to bring about a balance and consensus to make social media accountable to ensure the safety and security of our women and our future generations," the Minister said during question hour.

"Whenever the government has taken any step to make social media accountable, the opposition has accused it of curbing the freedom of speech. But it is not so," he said.

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On websites like 'BulliBai', which targeted Muslim women, he said the government acted immediately when violation was brought to its notice.

In response to a query from Congress member Anand Sharma about more accountability of the companies, the Minister said law enforcement agencies take action on the basis of reports by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) or the ministry of electronics and information technology.

"If the house has consensus, we are willing to provide even more stricter social media rules. I personally believe that for the protection of our citizens, we must make the rules stricter," he said.

There is a framework created for any cyber crime that happens in the country which can be reported on a central portal and it goes to the relevant law enforcement agency, he added.

The minister in his written reply said, "Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook qualify as Intermediaries as per the information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. The government is committed to ensure that the internet in India is open, safe, trusted and accountable for all users."

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