‘No plan to make verification of social media users a must’

The spread of hate crimes is a major byproduct of social media usage. India had an estimated 467 million users in January. Representation pics

The Union government does not intend to make social media users' verification mandatory in view of the privacy issue, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar told Lok Sabha on Wednesday, responding to queries on their efforts to curb hate crimes across the country. To ensure that internet is open, safe, trusted and accountable to all users, the government notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules in February last year, he said during the Question Hour. "And we will continue to expand the scope of those kinds of rule to ensure that internet is safe and trusted," he added.

Sharing concerns raised by Congress member Abdul Khaleque, the minister said the internet and technology have empowered people and transformed their lives and governance, being "a platform for good", but user harm, criminality and fake news type of issues are also on the rise. "I empathise with what you are saying but our approach is not to make it (verification of the users) mandatory," he said.

Replying to Congress member Manish Tewari's question as to what prevents the government from making the social media users' verification mandatory, the minister said the government is "interested in balancing'' the issue of privacy as well as the interest of safety and trust. According to the rules, an intermediary is required to identify the first originator of information for the purposes of investigation, prevention, investigation, prosecution of an offence, he said.

Meanwhile, Union minister Nitin Gadkari arrives at Parliament by a hydrogen-powered car. Pic/PTI

"This matter is sub-judice today because WhatsApp has challenged it in the Delhi High Court," he said. On DMK member D Ravikumar's question if the government has taken "any serious step" to curb "hate crime" on social media and harassment of women through Sulli Deals and Bulli Bai apps, the minister said the government is "actively" responding to such issues.

Individual liberty key: Govt

The Centre Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that an individual's liberty and freedom of cannot be "waylaid or jettisoned in the slipstream of social and technological advancement" and the social media platforms must respect the fundamental rights of the citizens and conform to the Constitution of India. In response to a petition by a Twitter user against the suspension of his account, the Centre said social media platforms should not take down the account itself or suspend it in all cases.