- SC denounced spread of factually incorrect and unfounded statements made regarding pending cases on social platforms.
- Reasons for Misuse of social media
- Internet growth coupled with anonymity.
- Rise in user base.
- Ambiguity in law, like on responsibility of social media platforms.
- Others: Rise of artificial intelligence (AI) for e.g., deepfake; absence of robust grievance redressal mechanism, etc.
- Negatives Impacts of Misuse
- Prejudiced Narratives: based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
- Excessive Trolling, unjustified public opinions.
- Defamation and Invasion of Privacy: Morphed images of women, revenge porn, disrespect to religious sentiments, etc.
- Fear of bias in Judicial Decisions: pressure to align with public sentiment.
- Others: spread of disharmony, financial frauds, incitement of violence, etc.
- Steps taken by government to curb misuse
- Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021.
- PIB’s Fact Check Unit under IT Rules 2021.
- Govt advisory mandating intermediaries to communicate prohibited content
- Blocking OTT platforms publishing obscene, vulgar content etc.
- Way ahead
- Invest in R&D to improve deep fake detection techniques.
- Collaboration between governments, tech companies, and civil society organizations etc.