Govt Will Make Even Stricter Social Media Rules For Indian Citizens: More Surveillance, More Bans?

With the growing issues related to bullying and shaming erupting on social media platforms on a large scale, the Government has stated to tighten the rules governing such online platforms in the country, provided there is a political consensus on the matter.

The country’s Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, replying to a series of supplementaries in Rajya Sabha on Friday, stated that each time the Government has wanted to take a step towards social media regulation, the Opposition has turned it down, accusing it of curbing freedom of speech.

However, the minister refrains it from being anything but the above.

Govt on Making Stricter Rules for Social Media Platforms

In response to BJP’s Sushil Kumar Modi on what the Government has done against websites like ‘BulliBai’ targeting Muslim women, the IT minister responded that they took immediate action as soon as prompted.

He added, “This is a very sensitive matter. Protecting the dignity of women is a fundamental construct of our government and there cannot be any compromise on it. This is our commitment and there is no talk of any religion or region in it.”

In 2021, the government introduced comprehensive steps and guidelines to make social media safe and accountable. It launched 5 frameworks under this and social media majors like Twitter and Facebook abided by it, including others.

He added that both the Centre and the states have been working together to bring in stricter regulation to social media platforms.

The law enforcement agencies of state governments receive complaints from different agencies as well as the Centre and act upon them.

The minister in his address in Rajya Sabha also added that if received consensus from the Opposition, the Centre could proceed with implementing stricter rules on social media platforms for well-being.

“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. We have to move together towards the new direction.

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”, Vaishnaw added.