Borderless tech facilitates fake news, rumour-mongering: Government
NEW DELHI: Borderless nature of technology has led to rumour-mongering and fake news in private social media networks and the government takes steps to remove such content on a case-to-case basis.
"Instances of circulation of fake news/rumour mongering have come to the notice of the government from time to time. Such behaviour in cyberspace is facilitated by virtual and borderless nature of the technology," Minister of State for Electronics and IT, PP Chaudhary informed Lok Sabha today.
He was responding to a question from BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal on if the government is aware of the serious implications arising from fake news via private WhatsApp networks.
On a query over steps taken by the government to address the issue, Chaudhary cited the rules applicable on such instances.
"Whenever any inflammatory, harmful and hateful content on various social network sites is brought to the notice of the government by the security/intelligence agencies, action under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 is taken in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above," he said.
Chaudhary said that the government approaches social media platforms for removal or blocking of specific contents on a case-to-case basis.
He said that the IT Act 2000 has provisions for removal of objectionable online content.
The minister mentioned that there is intermediary guidelines under the IT Act which requires that "the intermediaries shall observe due diligence while discharging their duties and shall inform the users of computers not to host, display, upload, modify publish, transmit, update or share any information that is harmful, objectionable, affect minors and unlawful in any way."
"Instances of circulation of fake news/rumour mongering have come to the notice of the government from time to time. Such behaviour in cyberspace is facilitated by virtual and borderless nature of the technology," Minister of State for Electronics and IT, PP Chaudhary informed Lok Sabha today.
He was responding to a question from BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal on if the government is aware of the serious implications arising from fake news via private WhatsApp networks.
On a query over steps taken by the government to address the issue, Chaudhary cited the rules applicable on such instances.
"Whenever any inflammatory, harmful and hateful content on various social network sites is brought to the notice of the government by the security/intelligence agencies, action under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 is taken in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above," he said.
Chaudhary said that the government approaches social media platforms for removal or blocking of specific contents on a case-to-case basis.
He said that the IT Act 2000 has provisions for removal of objectionable online content.
The minister mentioned that there is intermediary guidelines under the IT Act which requires that "the intermediaries shall observe due diligence while discharging their duties and shall inform the users of computers not to host, display, upload, modify publish, transmit, update or share any information that is harmful, objectionable, affect minors and unlawful in any way."
