Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram may face a ban in India if they fail to comply with the IT guidelines that will be brought to effect from May 26. As the platforms inch closer to the date of the deadline, memes about social media ban in India have flooded Twitter. At the time of writing this development #Facebookban, #IStandWithTwitterIndia & ‘Twitter and Facebook’ were in the top 10 trends on the micro-blogging platform.

So far, social media platforms with large user base such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram have not accepted the guidelines set by the Indian government. The deadline to accept those terms is to end on May 25 and only Koo, an India-based Twitter alternative has accepted the guidelines. The guidelines were laid down by Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology on February 2021 and the ministry had given these platforms a 3-month period to assess the guidelines and accept them.

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1. Social media platforms may lose protection under Section 79
2. Facebook agrees to comply with all provisions of IT Rules 2021
3. What are the new IT Rules and why are they important?
4. In closing

Social media platforms may lose protection under Section 79

According to reports, a failure in compliance could be a landmark moment in the social media as the platforms shall lose their status and protections. If they comply, the platforms will come under the Section 79 of the IT Act According to Section 79 of the IT Act all the social media intermediaries will be immune from legal prosecution for the content that’s being posted on their platforms.

Meanwhile, reports are suggesting that the standard reply the govt has received so far from the platforms was that they will await further instructions from their US headquarters where they have their own “expert assessment”. It should be noted that the aforementioned guidelines are not only applicable to social media platforms, but also on OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others.

Facebook agrees to comply with all provisions of IT Rules 2021

As the deadline for compliance approaches all social media platforms, Facebook issued a statement in which it said that it will aim to comply with all the provisions of the IT Rules 2021. “We aim to comply with the provisions of the IT rules and continue to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government”, said the company’s spokesperson.

“Pursuant to the IT Rules, we are working to implement operational processes and improve efficiencies. Facebook remains committed to people’s ability to freely and safely express themselves on our platform,” the Facebook spokesperson added. It should be noted that Facebook did not confirm or deny whether its subsidiaries Instagram and WhatsApp too will comply with the IT Rules or not.

Also read: Information Technology Rules 2021 announced for Social Media, OTT and digital media regulation

What are the new IT Rules and why are they important?

According to the new IT Rules, any social media intermediary that has over 50 lakh users must have a clear mechanism for grievance redressal. The new IT Rules were passed in February 2021 in which it was mentioned that social media intermediaries must appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who will be responsible for ensuring that the platform complies with the Acts and Rules.

Further, a 24×7 Nodal Contact Person will also be needed to be appointed who will work in coordination with law enforcement agencies. Lastly, a Resident Grievance Officer will perform all the functions that come under the Grievance Redressal Mechanism.

Additionally, the social media platforms will have to publish a compliance report every month on the way they handle certain user complaints. Most importantly, if there are complaints pertaining to safety and dignity of women and children, the platforms must need to remove such content within 24 hours.

The rules also said that intermediaries such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and others must put in the place a mechanism that will enable the tracing of ‘original’ creator of certain message, tweet or piece of content.

In closing

One should know that there is no official confirmation from the Centre as to whether or not these platforms will be banned by the end of the deadline. However, that hasn’t stopped netizens to share some of the funniest memes about the development.

Also Read: Manipulated Media Controversy: Delhi Police makes visit to Twitter office to probe ‘manipulated media’