GOVT ORDERS TWITTER TO REMOVE HANDLES
NEW DELHI: The Centre has served notice on Twitter Inc to again block over 250 accounts and posts to which the microblogging site restored access after closing them briefly for using a false and controversial hashtag in connection with the ongoing farmers’ protest on the Capital’s borders, officials said.
The notice states that Twitter, by unblocking the accounts and posts, was in violation of Section 69 (A) of the Information Technology Act that can result in a seven years’ imprisonment , officials said. Twitter had on Monday blocked access to around 250 accounts associated with the farmers’ protest on the government’s demand but later unblocked them.
THE NOTICE SAYS INCITEMENT TO GENOCIDE IS NOT FREEDOM OF SPEECH; IT IS THREAT TO LAW & ORDER
NEW DELHI: Government has directed Twitter to comply with its order to remove contents/ accounts related to farmer genocide hashtags, and warned that the microblogging platform may face “penal action” for non-compliance of its order, according to people familiar with the matter. “This a is motivated campaign to abuse, inflame and create tension in society on unsubstantiated grounds. Incitement to Genocide is Not Freedom of Speech; It is Threat to Law & Order,” said the notice issued on Tuesday, a copy of which HT has seen.
The notice said the government has considered the submissions of Twitter but has found that it is necessary to take down the accounts in the public interest.
“Having considered in totality, the contents of the interim order, the oral submissions of the advocate/representative of Twitter at the Committee meeting, and also the mail from Twitter expressing its disobedience of the legal blocking orders, the competent authority is satisfied that it is necessary and also expedient in the interest of public order and also for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to public order that Twitter, as an intermediary under section 2[1][w] of the act is once again directed to block for access by the public, the said Twitter handles and also the said hashtag with immediate effect...”
The notice added Twitter is bound by the Indian laws. “You are aware of the prevailing situation, which not only has the potential, but has in fact, resulted into a major public order issue [violence] on 26.01.2021 [during the farmer tractor rally on Republic Day]. The statutory authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that no adverse public order situation takes place and no cognizable offences are committed,” the notice said.
Government sources said that Twitter had unilaterally unblocked accounts and tweets despite specific order for blocking.
Twitter is an ‘intermediary’ and is obliged to obey direction of government, sources said, adding that the platform may face penal action for not complying with government orders.
Government notice quoted more than half a dozen Supreme Court judgments including of constitutional benches as to what is public order and what the rights of authorities are.
The ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY) had directed Twitter to block around 250 tweets/Twitter accounts that were making ‘fake, intimidatory tweets’ on January 30 with hashtags accusing the Modi government of planning farmers ‘genocide’ without any substantiation.