Centre tightens rules for social media, OTT

Weeks after a spat with Twitter and the fracas over the series Tandav, the government on Thursday announced the tightening of rules governing social media and streaming firms, requiring them to take down contentious content immediately, appoint grievance redressal officers and assist investigations by revealing the originator of a message or tweet.

The new Code of Ethics and self-regulation mechanism for video streaming services mean that anyone who misuses social media and overthe-top (OTT) platforms will be under the strict vigil of the government and is liable to face punishment.

As part of new rules to regulate online content, the government will ask the platform to reveal the originator of a message/ tweet, and WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media firms as well as streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video will be

required to quickly take down any contentious content flagged by the government or legal order.

They also have to appoint executives to coordinate with law enforcement and remove, within 24 hours, content depicting nudity or morphed pictures of women.

They also have to now appoint a resident grievance officer who shall

register complaints in 24 hours and file monthly compliance reports. User grievances have to be resolved within 15 days.

Social media platforms, on being asked by court or government, will be required to disclose the first originator of the mischievous information that undermines the sovereignty of India, security of the state, or public order.