The battle between social media giants and the government is now being watched by the international press as well . After WhatsApp sued the government stating that it cannot comply with new government rules as it infringes on user security and privacy and the demand for originator of content will requires them to make technical changes to their system worldwide which will demolish end to end encryption of user messages allowing the government to peek into conversations of the user .
Twitter said that it fears for the security of its employees and is fearful of intimidation by government agencies and the police as notices where served to twitter India head in Delhi . One of the rules that had come into force since yesterday is that grievance redressal officers need to be appointed who can be asked to remove an objection posts by the government within thirty six hours . The officer will then have to bare any criminal liability for content posted by third party on their platforms . This is a clear case of government bullying the social media where the people at large have been panning and lambasting the government for mis handling of COVID and the farmers protests against the new farm laws .
This vehement criticism has lead to the BJP loosing the elections in some of the key state elections especially in West Bengal . The COVID second wave has made people direct their anger on the ruling BJP as thousands have lost their lives this has lead to their defeat in the UP municipal elections also . The events of the last six moths has so rattled the ruling party that now they want to shoot the messenger which in this case is the Platform itself .
The new rules will require both technical changes in the platform and organizational changes as some one with in the company would be held liable . India is a big market for big tech and some platforms have asked for more time to understand the guidelines since they do not want to loose a big market in India . But if the government pushes hard some platforms will be forces to exit the country as the financial liability will not be enough for them to sustain profitability . Before the rules came into effect the social media platforms where given immunity against any libel for third party content posted on their site . Now with the heavy criticism the BJP has received they want to arm twist the platforms by taking away that immunity .
Some one will be going to jail and it might be that some platforms will pull out as India will become unviable for them to operate in . Seeing this the government is Pushing KOO as the new desi twitter and most politicians and government officials are on KOO as well . Which means government fro sure wants to push twitter out of the country as notices where served to them first . Twitter is the politicians favourite platform but now they want to ring it in and push KOO . This is not about the users right to privacy and free speech issue it is an issue of a sulking government who has been stung by peoples criticism trying to shoot very platforms that carry the voice of the common man who feels aggrieved .
Lets wait and watch what unfold next follow this story on www.tikkustravelthon.in