Technology: Breaking its silence on the new digital rules amidst its clash with the Modi government over the “Congress toolkit row” Twitter on Thursday expressed concern over “the potential threat to freedom of expression and intimidation tactics by the police”. It also requested the IT Ministry to provide a minimum of three-month extension to implement the new intermediary guidelines.
Responding to the government’s statement, Twitter expressed that it is particularly concerned about the requirement to make an individual (the compliance officer) criminally liable for content on the platform, the requirements for proactive monitoring, and the blanket authority to seek information about our customers. As per Twitter, the new terms represented dangerous overreach that is inconsistent with open, democratic principles.
The company also expressed its concerns regarding the events in India. A spokesperson quoted, “we are concerned by recent events regarding our employees in India and the potential threat to freedom of expression for the people we serve”. “We plan to advocate for changes to elements of these regulations that inhibit free, open public conversation.” The company enunciated to continue its constructive dialogue with MeitY and believe it is critical to adopt a collaborative approach.
Reflecting on withholding a few accounts, Twitter adds that it has been served with a non-compliance notice and has withheld a portion of the content identified in the blocking order under its Country Withheld Content policy.
According to Twitter, the escalated content constitutes legitimate free speech. Yet, due to the law’s limited scope under Section 69A, which gives limited room to an intermediary to defend the content, it was compelled to withhold in response to a non-compliance notice. Not doing so poses penal consequences with many risks for Twitter employees,” the company noted.
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