Government Empowers Citizens to File FIRs Against Social Media Firms for IT Rule Violation

• ByStartupStory     |    November 24, 2023

The government plans to empower citizens to file FIRs against social media firms for violations of IT rules. Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced that citizens troubled by objectionable content, such as deep fakes, will receive government assistance in reporting these violations.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) will establish a platform enabling users to flag IT rule violations on social media platforms easily. Chandrasekhar emphasized Meity’s role in aiding users to report violations and file FIRs, stating, “Meity will assist users to very easily notify it about violation of IT rules and assist them in filing FIRs.”

Speaking after a meeting with social media platforms, Chandrasekhar declared a zero-tolerance policy for IT rule breaches, urging compliance. He detailed that FIRs would target intermediaries, with the possibility of further action against the content’s originators if disclosed.

Moreover, social media platforms have been given a seven-day window to align their terms of use with the stipulated IT rules. Chandrasekhar stressed, “From today onwards there is zero tolerance for violation of IT rules.”

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