Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday met social media platforms to review the progress made by them in tackling misinformation and deepfakes, and asserted that advisories will be issued in the next two days to ensure 100 per cent compliance by platforms.

New, amended IT Rules to further ensure compliance of platforms, and the safety and trust of online users are actively under consideration, Chandrasekhar, the minister of state for IT, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Sources said that the government has talked tough with the digital platforms at Tuesday’s meeting.

Platforms have been reminded that 11 areas of “user harms” or “illegalities” flagged under IT Rules are also mapped to equivalent provisions in the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and hence criminal consequences can follow even under the current laws.

The government has said that the terms of service/ community guidelines put out by platforms should mention that a violation under 3(1)(b) of IT Rules also amount to a violation of relevant provision under other laws such as IPC.

The platforms had been asked to align the terms of service/ community guidelines to the provisions of the IT Rules, in particular the 11 prohibited areas mentioned, and map with other laws (such as IPC).

The terms of use/ community guidelines need to be easily visible to the users, and periodic reminders/ disclosures have to be sent to the users regarding the 11 prohibited areas.

Platforms have to ensure easily accessible mechanisms for reporting of violations, and all reported violations (including in-app complaints) will have to be treated as a grievance with the grievance officer.

Moreover, the Rule 7/ Section 79 adjudication role will be played by the Grievance Appellate Committee or GAC, sources said.

On November 24, Chandrasekhar met with the representatives of social media platforms and the companies were given seven days to act decisively on deepfakes and align their terms of use as per the IT Rules.

Sources said that some platforms have complied, and those “slow” in doing so have been given additional time.

The government, in Tuesday’s meeting, has made it amply clear that it will continue with its “zero tolerance approach”.

PTI