The Asia Internet Coalition, an influential industry association representing technology giants such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Apple and Amazon, has expressed concern over a recent change in India’s IT rules. adequate procedural safeguards.
India has recently updated its IT rules preventing social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter from spreading false or misleading information about the government’s business affairs. Under the new regulations, these companies must rely on New Delhi’s own fact-checking unit to verify claims.
India is an important overseas market for Facebook, Twitter and Google. Facebook and Google have plowed more than $15 billion into India over the past decade in their race to capture the last major growth market. Their services now reach over half a billion users in India. The firms have previously opposed several New Delhi proposals.
The amendments lack the “sufficient procedural safeguards” to protect people’s fundamental rights to access information, Jeff Paine, general manager of AIC, said in a statement Monday.
Relying on a government agency such as the Press Information Bureau as the sole source to fact-check government affairs without giving it a clear definition or providing clear checks and balances “may lead to misuse during the implementation of the law, which will constitute a serious breach of the press. freedom,” Paine added.
The industry association recommended that New Delhi conduct industry-wide consultations and also “consider voluntary mechanisms to protect the benefits of the internet and protect people from harm”.