Everything You Know About Social Media Is Wrong

Internet, if not free, is not the internet

- Yetnesh Dubey

Governments across the world are at an impasse with the major social media giants. We explored what happened in the case of Donald Trump Vs Twitter a few months ago, following the riots of January 6, 2021. This time, however, Twitter allegedly has a new enemy in the form of the Indian Government. The tale you’re about to hear is usually told in a twisted and complex manner, almost as if it’s on purpose. Nonetheless, here’s everything you thought you knew about social media is wrong.

The New Indian IT Rules

Following the blatant misuse of section 230, a provision for social media companies to evade liabilities, in the United States, India was quick to update its IT guidelines. It did so a few months ago and laid down the following “rules” for social media companies operating in India.

• Social Media sites and OTT platforms must appoint a Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO) to address issues of common users.

• Platforms like Whatsapp will need to give information about the “first originator of the information.”

• Additionally, a Chief Compliance Officer, a resident of India, needs to be appointed, and they will make sure that the company complies with the norms.