Ashwini Vaishnaw Calls On Social Media Platforms To Tackle Digital Arrest Scams

Social media platforms have increasingly come under focus over their role in the spread of online scams and the safety of users. Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday called on these platforms to take proactive steps to prevent online harm, including digital arrest scams, and strengthen safeguards for children and women.

Vaishnaw also called for greater accountability from social media companies on content circulated through their platforms, algorithmic transparency and grievance redressal. He said the internet and social media landscape had changed and companies could no longer remain passive intermediaries.

According to news agency PTI, the minister said platforms must take responsibility for child safety, women's safety and the harm caused to citizens through their services.

"Today, social media platforms must take the responsibility for child safety, for women's safety, for digital arrest, for the harms which come to the citizens," Vaishnaw said. He added that platforms must take proactive steps to ensure society's safety.

Vaishnaw Calls For Effective Grievance Redressal Mechanism

The minister also said citizens should have an effective mechanism to raise grievances directly with social media platforms when content causes them serious harm. At present, he noted, citizens have to approach the police or courts for recourse in such cases.

"There has to be a good, very effective mechanism by which the citizens get a voice to address their grievances," he said.

The government has also called for greater transparency in the algorithms used by social media companies to recommend, rank and amplify content. These systems influence the visibility and circulation of material on platforms.

Safe Harbour Protection Under Section 79

Vaishnaw did not indicate whether the government's call for greater platform accountability would involve withdrawing or changing the statutory safe-harbour protection available under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act.

Section 79 protects social media platforms from legal liability for content posted by users, as long as they follow the required due diligence rules and comply with the law.

Vaishnaw spoke about platform accountability, user safety, algorithmic transparency and grievance redressal, but did not announce any change to these legal protections.