Govt advises social media platforms to act on unlawful posts related to protests

The ministry warned that such content could disturb public order. (ANI)

NEW DELHI: The government has advised major social media platforms to "identify unlawful content and prioritise action based on complaints" from authorised including law enforcement agencies, PTI reported quoting sources.The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) is learnt to have issued an advisory to social media companies on October 8, expressing concern over the online circulation of information related to the protests that is allegedly false, misleading, manipulated or presented out of context.“MeitY has advised large social media platforms to identify such unlawful content and prioritise action based on complaints received from authorised government bodies,” an official source aware of the development told PTI.The ministry warned that such content could disturb public order and social tranquillity, raise law and order concerns and incite violence.The advisory has also asked social media platforms to label synthetically generated content, particularly when it is presented as depicting ongoing events.

The ministry has stressed the need for timely cooperation between social media companies and law enforcement agencies to address unlawful content and provide information when required.

“MeitY has advised social media companies to ensure timely cooperation with law enforcement and other authorised government agencies for action and furnishing information as well as provide assistance as per the applicable law within stipulated timelines under the IT Rules, 2021,” the source added.