Amid ongoing tussle between the Union government and Twitter over the new IT rules, members of a parliamentary panel on Friday strongly objected to Twitter India officials’ observations that they abide by their policy and categorically told them that the rule of land is supreme.
In response, Twitter officials told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology that “we follow our own policies”.
Members of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology also asked Twitter why it should not be fined as it has been found “violating” rules of the country according to news agency PTI.
The committee has also asked Twitter Representatives present before it to submit in writing how they are placed within the social media platform and how much executive authority they have over policy decisions it makes.
“Twitter stands prepared to work with the Committee on important work of safeguarding citizens’ rights online in line with our principles of transparency, freedom of expression, & privacy,” the Twitter Spokespersons were quoted as saying by ANI.
The meeting comes as the Centre is at loggerheads with the microblogging site over the new Information and Technology (IT) rules. Last week, the Parliamentary standing committee on Information and Technology summoned Twitter India officials over issues related to misuse of the platform and protection of citizens’ rights.
On Wednesday, Twitter became the first US-based social media platform to lose legal protection in India, meaning that the company will now be held responsible for tweets, data hosted by it. It will not be considered as a platform hosting something that somebody has tweeted, but it will be editorially responsible for the posts.
Ghaziabad Police issued notice to Twitter India MD Manish Maheshwari
The Ghaziabad Police has already issued a notice to Twitter India Managing Director Manish Maheshwari to appear before it in the case in which an FIR has been lodged. The FIR also names Twitter India.
Meanwhile, it may be noted that apart from Twitter, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology has also issued summons to representatives of several social media giants, including Facebook, over the misuse of the platforms and protection of citizens’ rights.
