Centre issues "one last notice" to Twitter to comply with new IT rules
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Amid escalating tensions between the Indian government and Twitter, the Centre on Saturday issued "one last notice" to the microblogging site over appointing India-based officers as per the country's new rules for social media companies.
The notice sent by the Ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) also warns Twitter of legal "consequences" as per the IT Act and other penal laws if the company fails to comply with the rules.
"Twitter Inc. is hereby given one last notice to immediately comply with the Rules, failing which the exemption from liability available under section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 shall stand withdrawn and Twitter shall be liable for consequences as per the IT Act and other penal laws of India," read the letter from Rakesh Maheshwari, Group Coordinator, Cyber law, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
"The refusal to comply demonstrates Twitter's lack of commitment and efforts towards providing a safe experience for the people of India on its platform. Despite being operational in India for more than a decade, it is beyond belief that Twitter Inc. has doggedly refused to create mechanisms that will enable the people of India to resolve their issues on the platform in a timely and transparent manner and through fair processes, by India based, clearly identified resources. Leave alone proactively creating such a mechanism, Twitter Inc. is in the inglorious bracket of refusing to do so even when mandated by law." it added.
Twitter has been involved in a tussle with the Indian government since February after the Technology ministry asked the microblogging site to block content alleging PM Modi silence on farmer's protests.
Subsequently, India announced new rules to make social media firms more accountable to the Centre and asked for the appointment of an Indian grievance officer to deal with such complaints.
As per the new guidelines issued in February, social media platforms had been asked to appoint a resident grievance officer, a chief compliance officer, and a nodal contact person as required by the government by May 26.
Last month,Twitter had classified one of the tweets by ruling partly BJP spokesperson with "manipulated media" label stirring up more controversies as Delhi police visited Twitter offices in the national capital. The microblogging platform said they are worried about the safety of its employees after the "intimidation tactics" by police in India.