SC asks Centre to frame rules for regulating social media
September 26, 2019The Supreme Court, while intervening into an undiscovered space, has asked the central government to formulate guidelines for the regulation of social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and YouTube. It has further asked the government to put in place a mechanism in order to trace the source of fake news, rumours and objectionable content like pornography on social media platforms.
The Court has stated that considering the rampant misuse of social media for fake news and rumours leading to mob violence and law & order problems, a system is required for regulating the new media and the government must step forward to deal with the menace.
In this regard, the SC has directed the government to file an affidavit within three weeks to give a definite timeline in order to frame a policy for regulating social media after the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing in behalf of the government, submitted to the Court that the government is holding consultations for the same. However, he had stated that it would not be possible to give an exact timeline for framing of a policy.
Moreover, the Court has stated that "It is a worldwide problem but we have to find some solution... There have to be some strict guidelines and at the same time, privacy of individuals should also be kept in mind. It can be done only by the government as it is a policy matter and neither the Supreme Court nor high courts can do it. It (social media) is very dangerous the way in which it is being misused."