Govt respects privacy, new IT rules to stop misuse of social media: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 27, 2021:     Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has issued a statement to clarify that the new IT rules for social media intermediaries have been formulated with an aim to stop abuse and misuse of social media and that the government “fully recognises” the right of privacy.

 

This comes a day after Facebook-owned WhatsApp challenged the Centre in a plea filed before the Delhi High Court saying the new IT rules violate the right to privacy and are unconstitutional.

Ravi Shankar Prasad has now said, “Government fully recognises and respects the right of privacy. Ordinary users of WhatsApp have nothing to fear about the new Rules. Its entire objective is to find out who started the message that led to commissioning of specific crimes mentioned in the Rules.”

“The obligation to reveal the first originator of an offensive message already in circulation relates only to offences relating to sovereignty, integrity & security of India, public order, rape, child sexual abuse. That too when other less intrusive measures are not effective,” Prasad said.

The Union minister further added, “The new Rules are only designed to prevent abuse and misuse of social media. Government welcomes criticism including the right to ask questions. The Rules only empower the ordinary users of social media when they become victims of abuse and misuse.”

In its plea, WhatsApp has said the requirement of intermediaries enabling the identification of the first originator of information in India upon government or court order puts end-to-end encryption and its benefits "at risk".

The new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were announced by the government on February 25 and required large social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to comply with the norms by May 25.

WhatsApp has also sought that no criminal liability be imposed on it for any alleged non-compliance with Rule 4(2) which requires to enable the identification of the first originator of information.

Courtesy:India Today