A fresh clash took place between the Modi government and social media giants on February 2, as per reports.
During a meeting to discuss fake news and provocative content spreading on social media, the Government of India reportedly came down hard on companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google.
ALSO WATCH | Centre bans 20 YouTube channels, 2 websites under new IT rules for ‘anti-India content’
Government officials reportedly accused the companies of taking prompt action when their commercial interests are at stake, but wait for the authorities to raise the issue when anti-national, provocative, and fake news concerning India are involved. Then, when officials ask the companies to take down objectionable content and the accounts posting them, the international community sees the Indian government in a negative light and perceives it as being against free speech, participants at the meeting reportedly said.
The latest meeting occurred weeks after some YouTube accounts were banned for allegedly being operated from Pakistan and spreading anti-India propaganda.
Last year, the government introduced new Information Technology rules which required large social media companies, i.e. those with 50,000 or more users, to take a host of steps. These included appointing a compliance officer, a nodal contact person for coordination with law enforcement agencies, and a resident grievance officer.