JOIN USParliamentary panel summons Facebook, Google
Amid the ongoing tussle between Twitter and the Centre over the new I-T Rules 2021, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has summoned officials of Facebook and Google to deliberate on the issue of safeguarding citizens' rights and preventing misuse of online platforms.
As per the official agenda circulated among the members of the panel, "To hear the views of representatives of Facebook India and Google India on the subject 'Safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space."
The panel headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor earlier summoned Twitter representatives in which panel is learnt to have asked US-based company to follow law of the land and that complying with Indian law is a must.
The panel, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, had earlier summoned Twitter representatives and is likely to summon YouTube and other social media platforms in coming days.
Though earlier Facebook had sought permission to appear before the panel through video conference due to the Covid-19 protocols, panel chairman Tharoor insisted that company officials must appear in person as the Parliament Secretariat does not allow virtual meetings.
The panel meeting with social media firms came in the backdrop of a tussle between social media houses and the government over the implementation of new IT rules that came into force from May 26. While Whatsapp went to court questioning some clauses of new rules citing user privacy, Twitter was at loggerheads with the government about its implementation.