Apr 18, 2023 17:00:00

Twitter, Google, Apple, etc. expressed concern about the revision of IT regulations in India and criticized it as ``infringement of press freedom''

The Asian Internet Coalition (AIC), an association of major technology companies such as Twitter, Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon, has expressed concern about the revised IT regulations in India. AIC fears censorship by the Indian government and violation of press freedom.

US tech giants warn India's fact-checking rule will 'profoundly infringe' on press freedom | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/17/us-tech-giants-voice-concern-over-india-s-fact-checking-rule/

India to appoint agencies to fact-check content on social media; key amendments to online gaming rules - IBTimes India

https://www.ibtimes.co.in/it-rules-amended-social-networks-online-gaming-facts-take-precedence-how-details-858070

The new IT regulations amended by India's Ministry of Electronics and Telecommunications Technology (MeitY) on April 6, 2023 require the handling of 'false or misleading information' in online games and SNS platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. We enforce due diligence . Under the new IT rules, institutions and platforms that report false or misleading information about government work can also be encouraged to stop hosting, publishing or sharing content.

An IT law is born in India that forces social media and online games not to host ``false and misleading information''-GIGAZINE

On the other hand, Jeff Payne, Managing Director of AIC, said, ``The proposed IT rule reforms in India will provide 'sufficient procedural safeguards' to protect people's basic right of access to information. is missing,” he points out.

In response to relying on the government's fact-checking department as the sole source of fact-checking of government business without being given clear definitions and checks and balances , Mr. Payne said, could seriously violate press freedom,' he said.

The AIC also recommended that MeitY 'convene industry-wide consultations and consider voluntary mechanisms to protect the interests of the Internet and protect people from harm.' “These rules go against the principles of natural justice and are close to censorship. Therefore, it is extremely regrettable that MeitY has enacted such heavy-handed rules. I would like to ask you again to hold discussions with the media and the press.'

TechCrunch, an IT news media, said, ``India is an important overseas market for major technology companies such as Meta, Twitter, and Google. Annually, we have invested more than $ 15 billion (about 2 trillion yen) in India.The services of both companies are used by more than 500 million users at the time of writing the article.In addition, both companies have been in IT in India so far We have expressed our opposition to the revision of the rules.'

Meanwhile, India's IT minister , Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said in an online discussion that a government-appointed body is seeking to censor journalism 'not true.'