Government Announces New Guidelines to Curb Misuse of Social Media Platforms

The government on Thursday announced new rules to curb misuse of social media platform.

Concerns have been raised about rampant abuse of social media platforms and spread of fake news and the government is bringing in a "soft touch" regulation, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said while announcing the new guidelines.

3. Key Takeaways from the announcement of new guidelines

Appointment of a grievance officer

Social media intermediaries are mandated to appoint a grievance officer who is tasked with the responsibility of registering complaints within 24 hours. Content involving nudity morphed pictures of women will have to be removed in 24 hrs.

Monthly reports

Social Media platforms are mandated to file monthly compliance reports.

Originator of Mischievous information

The new rules cast a responsibility on social media platforms to disclose the first originator of mischievous information in court proceedings.

Besides, these key mandates, social media platforms must develop systems for voluntary verification of users, added IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad