New IT rules will prevent abuse and misuse of social media: Ravi Shankar Prasad

New Delhi: Union electronics and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said that 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, he added

Ravi Shankar further said, 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.

The new Rules require the social media companies to set up an India based grievance redressal officer, compliance officer and nodal officer so that millions of users of social media who have a grievance get a forum for its redressal.

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.