New Delhi: Hours after microblogging site removed blue tick from personal account of Vice President and several noted RSS leaders, the Centre has sent out a strong message to the social media giant. In no uncertain terms, the Centre has warned Twitter of impending action if continues to dodge new IT rules and fails to comply with them.
In a letter, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, warned that if Twitter fails to do so then it will be liable for consequences under the IT Act and other penal laws of India.
The letter said, “It is dear from your responses that till date Twitter has not informed about the details of the Chief Compliance Officer as required under the Rules. Further, Resident Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person nominated by you is not an employee of Twitter Inc. in India as prescribed in the Rules. The office address of Twitter Inc. as mentioned by you is that of a law firm in India, which is also not as per the Rules.”
Talking about the letter an official said. “Seeing this delaying attitude of Twitter, it was resolved to send a final and firm communication to Twitter asking them to comply immediately with these requirements failing which resultant consequences as enjoined in the law shall follow.”
Seeing this delaying attitude of Twitter, it was resolved to send a final and firm communication to Twitter asking them to comply immediately with these requirements failing which resultant consequences as enjoined in the law shall follow: Govt sources
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2021
The letter further talks about the consequences of not complying as it says, “The provisions for significant social media intermediaries under the Rules have already come into force on 26m May 2021and it has been more than a week but Twitter has refused to comply with the provisions of these Rules. Needless to state, such non compliance will lead to unintended consequences including Twitter losing exemption from liability as intermediary available under section 79 of the lnfom1ation Technology (IT) Act,2000. This has clearly been provided under rule 7 of the aforesaid Rules. 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. The world’s largest democracy has been among the first countries in the world, outside the parent country of Twitter Inc., to enthusiastically adopt the Twitter platform. ”
Government of India gives final notice to Twitter for compliance with new IT rules. pic.twitter.com/98S0Pq8g2U
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2021
The letter ends with, “Though with effect from 26th May 2021, in view of Twitter Inc’s non-compliance with the Rules as noted above, consequences follow. However, as a gesture of goodwill, 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.”
This comes days after Twitter went to Delhi High Court gave three weeks time to comply to the new IT rules as they have not been stayed.
