New IT Rules: Twitter expresses concerns over threat to ‘Freedom of Speech’
Earlier this week, Delhi police officials visited a Twitter office in New Delhi after the social media giant labeled a tweet from BJPs Sambit Patra as “Manipulated Media."
New Delhi: Micro-blogging site Twitter on Thursday expressed itself over the new IT rules that came in place on May 25.
Twitter’s statement comes days after Delhi police officials visited the company’s office on Monday (May 24) in connection with a probe over the ongoing “toolkit” row between the ruling BJP and opposition parties.
Twitter expressed concerns over the “potential threat to freedom of expression and intimidation tactics by the police.” The social media giant also said that it will strive to comply with the law and will be strictly guided by principles of transparency.
“Twitter is deeply committed to the people of India. Our service has proven vital for the public conversation and a source of support for people during the pandemic. To keep our service available, we will strive to comply with applicable law in India. But, just as we do around the world, we will continue to be strictly guided by principles of transparency, a commitment to empowering every voice on the service, and protecting freedom of expression and privacy under the rule of law,” a Twitter spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Twitter said that it has concerns with regards to the use of intimidation tactics by the police in response to enforcement of its global Terms of Service, as well as the core elements of the new IT rules. “We plan to advocate for changes to elements of these regulations that inhibit free, open public conversation. We will continue our constructive dialogue with the Indian Government and believe it is critical to adopt a collaborative approach,” the company said.
Concerned by recent events regarding our employees in India&potential threat to freedom of expression for people we serve.We’ve concerns with regards to intimidation police’s tactics in response to enforcement of global Terms of Service&core elements of new IT Rules: Twitter spox pic.twitter.com/gvdxkWuRi2
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
We plan to advocate for changes to elements of these regulations that inhibit free, open public conversation. We will continue our constructive dialogue with the Indian Government and believe it is critical to adopt a collaborative approach: Twitter spokesperson
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
We urge the Ministry of Electronics & IT to publish these Standard Operating Protocols on procedural aspects of compliance for public consultation. We would request the Ministry to consider a minimum of 3 months extension in order for Twitter to implement the Rules: Twitter spox
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
Earlier this week, Delhi police officials visited a Twitter office in New Delhi after the social media giant labeled a tweet from BJPs Sambit Patra as “Manipulated Media.”