India Issues Notices to Social Media Giants Over Child Sexual Abuse Material

In a significant move, the Indian government has issued notices to major social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), YouTube (owned by Alphabet’s Google), and Telegram, instructing them to take immediate steps to ensure the absence of child sexual abuse material on their platforms. The government has underscored that these companies risk losing their legal liability protection if they fail to comply with these directives.

The notices were dispatched by the Federal Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) and stressed the critical importance of swiftly and permanently eradicating any content related to child sexual abuse from these platforms. The consequences of non-compliance, as stated in the government’s statement, could include the withdrawal of their “safe harbor” status under section 79 of the Information Technology Act (IT Act), which would subject them to legal repercussions under Indian law.

Rajeev Chandrashekhar, India’s junior minister for information technology, expressed the government’s stance on this issue, saying, “If they do not act swiftly, their safe harbor under Section 79 of the IT Act would be withdrawn, and consequences under Indian law will follow.” Chandrasekhar has been a vocal proponent of removing harmful content from the Indian internet, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government’s goal to establish a safe and trustworthy online environment under the IT rules.

As of now, representatives for X and Google, which owns YouTube, as well as Telegram, have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment regarding the notices.

The notices sent to these social media giants also emphasized the need for proactive measures, including the implementation of content moderation algorithms and reporting mechanisms, to prevent the dissemination of child sexual abuse material in the future. These measures are seen as crucial steps to combat the continued presence of such harmful content online.

This development follows a report by Reuters in July, which revealed that India had advised online streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney to subject their content to independent reviews for obscenity and violence before making it available online. These actions reflect India’s commitment to safeguarding online spaces from harmful content and ensuring the safety and protection of its citizens, especially children, on digital platforms.