Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has called on social media platforms to implement proactive safety measures, safeguard children’s physical and mental health, and establish accessible grievance redressal frameworks. Stressing algorithmic transparency, Vaishnaw stated that internet platforms must actively mitigate emerging digital threats—including digital arrest scams—rather than relying on passive, reactive content moderation.Addressing the issue of platform liability, Vaishnaw indicated that the evolving digital ecosystem requires a re-examination of safe harbor protections. He noted that social media companies can no longer remain passive conduits and must assume direct responsibility for user safety—specifically regarding child protection, women’s safety, and online financial fraud—rather than forcing impacted citizens to rely solely on police complaints or legal recourse. <!–
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The minister’s remarks follow heightened regulatory and legal scrutiny surrounding Meta platforms. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recently flagged allegations that advertisements on platforms including Instagram facilitated access to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Following NHRC directions, the Delhi Police Special Cell registered an FIR on October 8 under Sections 67 and 67B of the Information Technology Act to investigate the circulation of explicit material across Meta-operated networks.
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