Under the Information Technology Rules 2021, the Narendra Modi administration has asked that social media platforms voluntarily verify user accounts and display visible verification marks on users’ profiles. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the union minister of state for electronics and information technology, responded to a question in the Rajya Sabha by stating that the government’s goals are to “provide open, safe, trusted, and accountable internet for the consumers.”
In response, he stated that “the government is aware of the risk and danger posed by expanding phenomena of misinformation, bots, criminality, and user damages in general.”
According to a report from HT, the Center is debating a proposal to hold social media intermediaries like Facebook and Twitter “accountable” for the handling of illegal content and fake news. The administration has the authority to “set out new compliances not mentioned under the parent law,” and this is being taken into consideration as part of the rules under the IT Act that are being suggested for revision.
On February 25, 2021, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology published the announcement for the new IT Rules. The guideline requires social media platforms to conduct thorough due diligence on content. The establishment of a grievance procedure overseen by an official has also been mandated for the social media sites in order to receive and address user concerns
