Amid Row With Twitter, Government Drafts Guidelines To Regulate Social Media, OTT Platforms

Amidst a massive row with Twitter over blocking and unblocking of several accounts, the Centre has readied draft guidelines to regulate all social media, streaming or OTT (Over The Top) platforms and news-related websites.

The rules call for a self-regulatory mechanism that will include a code of ethics and compliance reports.

The Centre is also mulling appointing a chief compliance officer to keep constant track and respond to complaints from law enforcement agencies, according to a report by NDTV.

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The officer will submit regular reports on compliance.

Apart from that, a grievance redressal mechanism portal will be in place.

The draft does not mention any provision for punishment as yet, but reports suggest that the sites will have 36 hours to remove flagged content.

India's row with Twitter

India has warned social media platforms of stringent actions if they fail to comply with the country's laws.

Reuters

Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said social media platforms cannot give differential treatment while handling problems on Capitol Hill and the Red Fort.

"Please don't spread enmity, violence and misinformation. Please follow the Constitution of India and the law of the land (otherwise we will be very strict)," he said replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.