On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice to Twitter and the Central government on a petition filed by BJP leader Vinit Goenka back in May 2020 asking for a mechanism that will regulate content on Twitter, other social media platforms and advertisements spreading hate messages through fake news and seditious and incendiary content through fake accounts.
The SC bench, headed by the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, soon issued a notice on the filed petition who then directed that the matter will be tagged along with similar pending petitions that are seeking social media regulation.
Goenka’s petition stated that there were over hundreds of fake Twitter and Facebook accounts under the name of dignitaries and eminent people and he had sought action, but none was taken.
The BJP leader said, “Social media accounts were used by political parties to “tarnish the image of opponents”, particularly during elections, and to spread “anti-India and venomous messages” aimed at provoking violence in various parts of the country”
The Plea stated, “The said platform (Twitter) is being used to call upon separatist, creating panic in some sections of the society, challenging the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India”
The plea was heard at a time when the Centre has been pressing Twitter to block over 1,000 accounts and posts stating that it has been spreading misinformation and provocative content linked to the farmers’ agitation against the three new farm laws.
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in a statement said that the Centre respects social media as a source to empower common people; however, action will be taken if social media will be misused to deliver or spread fake news and violation.
While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Law Minister said, “We respect social media a lot, it has empowered common people. Social media has a big role in the Digital India program. However, if social media is misused to spread fake news, violence then action will be taken,”
