Fake News: Centre issues advisory to social media giants
The News Freedom
New Delhi, December 26
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released an advisory urging compliance with extant IT rules, focusing on mitigating the rise of AI-powered misinformation, particularly deepfakes. As per the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code of 2021, social media companies with over 50 lakh users will be deemed ‘significant social media intermediaries’.
The directive mandates intermediaries to explicitly communicate prohibited content under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules. Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, facilitated discussions with intermediaries, culminating in this advisory within one month.
The advisory stresses clear communication of prohibited content through user agreements, highlighting legal consequences, including those in the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act 2000, for violations under Rule 3(1)(b). It underscores the obligation of intermediaries to promptly report legal violations to law enforcement agencies.
Rule 3(1)(b) aims to prevent the dissemination of false information, including deepfakes, by mandating intermediaries to communicate their regulations, privacy policies, and user agreements in the user’s preferred language. Additionally, platforms must make reasonable efforts to prevent the spread of such content on their platforms.
Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar reiterated the severity of misinformation threats, especially deepfakes powered by AI, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to IT rules. He highlighted the Government’s commitment to maintaining internet safety and trust, ensuring intermediaries are accountable under the law for user safety.
Key Points:
- MeitY issues advisory to social media giants, focusing on mitigating AI-powered misinformation.
- Significant social media intermediaries must communicate prohibited content under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules.
- Advisory stresses clear communication of legal consequences and reporting violations to law enforcement.
- Rule 3(1)(b) mandates intermediaries to prevent dissemination of false information, including deepfakes.
- Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar reaffirms government’s commitment to internet safety and intermediary accountability.