The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is questioning Meta's status as an 'intermediary' under Indian law, arguing the company should instead be treated as a service provider.
- The ministry's view rests on the fact that Facebook and Instagram charge for advertisements and use algorithms to decide what content users see.
- Platforms that fail due-diligence requirements under Section 79 of the IT Act lose safe-harbour protection from liability for third-party content, according to the official.
- The government scrutiny follows a BBC investigation that found Instagram ads in India using phrases like 'rape video' directed users to Telegram channels allegedly selling child sexual abuse material.
- The courts, not MeitY or Meta, will ultimately decide whether Meta keeps intermediary status and immunity, a ruling that could reshape how big tech platforms are regulated in India.
What to watch next
- Whether courts accept the government's argument that paid ads and algorithmic curation strip Meta of intermediary status.
- Meta's report to the NCPCR, due within two weeks of Wednesday's hearing.
- Whether other social media platforms begin reporting child sexual abuse material and illegal content directly to Indian agencies.
Who said what2
Only words found exactly in the article are shown, attributed and linked to the line they came from.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology official
top official of the Ministry of Electronics
2 quotes · 1 outlet
“When you charge to show something on your platform, you are no longer neutral”
In the article
…and Facebook, charge for advertisements and use algorithms to determine what content users see. Such behaviour, the official said on Wednesday, entails greater responsibility for the content allowed on its platforms. “ When you charge to show something on your platform, you are no longer neutral ,” the official said, adding that platforms that fail to meet the due-diligence requirements under Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act “are no longer an intermediary” and should not receive safe-harbour…
“It cannot be decided by MeitY or Meta. This will come under the judiciary’s domain and will be an interpretation of the law”
In the article
…certain conditions, including compliance with prescribed due-diligence requirements. The official, however, said whether Meta is entitled to intermediary status and immunity will ultimately be decided by the courts. “ It cannot be decided by MeitY or Meta. This will come under the judiciary’s domain and will be an interpretation of the law ,” the official said. Also Read | Meta To Report Child Sexual Abuse Material Directly To Indian Agencies| Instagram, Facebook Meta did not respond to HT’s queries. The comments come as Meta faces increased government…
Coverage1
All filed from India
Named India · Facebook · Instagram · Meta · Aman Jain · Arun Srinivas · Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre · Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology · Natasha Jog · National Commission for Protection of Child Rights · Valeti Premchand
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