IT Minister Declares an End to Free Pass
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has emphasized that the era of granting a “free pass” to social media platforms is coming to an end, and strict accountability will be enforced both in India and worldwide. This statement comes in the backdrop of a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, filed by over 40 U.S. states. The lawsuit accuses Meta of “exploiting” young users by structuring a business model that prioritizes maximizing their time on the platform, despite negative impacts on their mental health.
The lawsuit contends that research has shown the association between young people’s use of Meta’s social media platforms and various adverse outcomes, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, interference with education, and daily life.
Minister Chandrasekhar underscored that the world has predominantly focused on the positive aspects of these platforms and it’s now time to acknowledge the negative aspects. He stated that platforms must be held more accountable, emphasizing that the days of immunity and a free pass are over.
Regarding the Indian government’s approach to ensuring citizens’ protection, Chandrasekhar noted that platforms are expected to adhere to rules and regulations. If they fail to respond to notices under IT rules, legal consequences will follow, and there will be a zero-tolerance policy.
The focus on Meta by U.S. investigators came after a Facebook whistleblower, Frances Haugen, leaked internal documents, leading to criticism that the company prioritized profits over user security. Haugen alleged that Facebook had not effectively controlled toxic content and couldn’t be trusted to change its practices. In response, Meta claimed its commitment to keeping teenagers safe online and introduced over 30 tools to support them. The company expressed disappointment with the lawsuit and stated that the states were not collaborating with social media firms to establish age-appropriate standards.
