Twitter failed to comply with IT guidelines, deliberately chose path of non-compliance: Prasad

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on June 16 mentioned Twitter failed to comply with middleman pointers and has “deliberately” chosen the path of non-compliance regardless of being granted a number of alternatives.

Also learn: Reports of Twitter dropping “intermediary status” relies on incorrect studying of the regulation, IFF says

Lashing out on the microblogging platform over non-compliance, Mr. Prasad mentioned that it’s “astounding” that Twitter that portrays itself because the flag bearer of free speech, chooses the path of deliberate defiance when it comes to the Intermediary Guidelines.

“There are numerous queries arising as to whether Twitter is entitled to safe harbour provision. However, the simple fact of the matter is that Twitter has failed to comply with the Intermediary Guidelines that came into effect from the May 26,” Mr. Prasad mentioned in a collection of posts on homegrown microblogging platform Koo.

The Minister additionally tweeted on the difficulty.

Mr. Prasad asserted that Twitter was given a number of alternatives to comply with the principles, however deliberately chose the path of non-compliance.

Also Read | House panel on IT summons Twitter

“Further, what is perplexing is that Twitter fails to address the grievances of users by refusing to setting up process as mandated by the law of the land. Additionally, it chooses a policy of flagging manipulated media, only when it suits, its likes and dislikes,” he mentioned.

The Minister mentioned that what occurred in Uttar Pradesh was illustrative of Twitter’s “arbitrariness” in preventing faux information.

“While Twitter has been over-enthusiastic about its fact-checking mechanism, its failure to act in multiple cases like U.P. is perplexing as well as points towards its inconsistency in fighting misinformation,” he mentioned.

It is pertinent to point out that an FIR has been filed towards Twitter over an incident in Ghaziabad’s Loni the place an aged man was allegedly assaulted.

Also Read | Will present particulars of compliance officer in every week: Twitter tells authorities

Mr. Prasad mentioned that Indian firms, be it pharma or IT or others that go to do enterprise within the U.S. or in different international locations abroad, voluntarily observe the native legal guidelines.

“Then why are platforms like Twitter showing reluctance in following Indian laws designed to give voice to the victims of abuse and misuse,” the Minister questioned.

The tradition of India varies like its massive geography, he mentioned, including that in sure situations, with the amplification of social media, even a small spark may cause a hearth, particularly with the menace of faux information.

“This was one of the objectives of bringing the Intermediary Guidelines,” Mr. Prasad mentioned.

Also learn: Twitter appoints interim Chief Compliance Officer for India as mandated below new IT guidelines

Earlier this month, the federal government had given one final likelihood to Twitter to comply with the brand new IT guidelines, that got here into impact on May 26, and had issued a stern warning that failure to adhere to the norms will lead to the platform dropping exemption from legal responsibility below the IT Act.

The IT Ministry had questioned Twitter over not offering details about the Chief Compliance Officer as required below the principles.

Also, the resident grievance officer and nodal contact individual nominated by the corporate shouldn’t be an worker of Twitter Inc. in India as prescribed within the guidelines, the Ministry had flagged.