NEW DELHI: Communications and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said internet cannot become the "monopoly of a few" and the government has taken a position that "any attempt to create imperialism of the internet" by a few companies is not acceptable. The minister said the government welcomes dissent but cannot allow misuse or abuse of social media.
Prasad was responding to a supplementary question in the Rajya Sabha asked by Congress member G C Chandrashekhar, who raised the issue of Twitter being asked by the government to block 1,178 accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation on the farmers’ protest and sedition charges against climate activist Disha Ravi for editing a protest toolkit.
The minister said, "India is proud to have nearly 140 crore users of social media networks like LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook... They are free to do business in India. They have empowered ordinary Indians; they ask questions, and the government welcomes dissent. The issue is not of use of social media, the issue is of abuse and misuse of social media."
"The internet is a powerful invention of human mind, but it should not become the monopoly of a few. We have taken a position that any attempt to create imperialism of internet by a few companies is not acceptable," Prasad said.
On the specific query related to sedition charges against Disha Ravi, Prasad said, "Now, coming to the specific question, this is something based upon law and order. Police has taken action. It is under judicial process. Based upon reason, this House has to consider this: Should some people abuse social media internationally to defame India, to promote secessionism, is a larger question to be considered."
On another question by Chandrashekhar whether the government is working on a system for speedy redressal of cases involving harassment of women and minorities through digital platform, Prasad said, "The new guidelines specifically enjoin that if the dignity of a woman is being sought to be compromised, like her nude photo, her morphed photo etc is being displayed, then they have to remove it in 24 hours. Secondly, they need to have a grievance redressal officer whereby a complaint can be filed and the grievance redressed. Therefore, what we are doing by these guidelines is to empower the users of social media who suffer from the misuse of it."