Microblogging platform Twitter has lost its legal indemnity in India. This is for non-compliance with the new IT rules. The new rules required social media platforms to appoint key officers in the country. Though the other media giants have accepted the new rules Twitter had failed to do so. Twitter is now liable for penal actions against any Indian law just as any publisher is.
Twitter now becomes the only American platform to have lost the protective shield granted under Section 79 of the IT Act. Whereas others such as YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp remain protected.
The loss of indemnity was highlighted on Tuesday. This was after a case was filed against the social media giant over a viral video. The UP Police have filed an FIR naming Twitter and others. It is over a video of an assault on a Muslim man in Ghaziabad. The Muslim man had alleged that he was assaulted by a mob, and he was forced to chant Jai Shri Ram. The Ghaziabad police, however, has ruled out any communal angle. As Twitter does not enjoy legal indemnity anymore, they are liable for penal action.
According to a report by the Times of India, the company’s top executives could now face criminal liability over inflammatory content posted on the platform by any user.
Twitter on Tuesday said it has appointed an interim Chief Compliance Officer. They added that the details of the official will be shared with the IT Ministry soon.
Also Read: Twitter strives to comply with applicable laws in India: Spokesperson