Troll Army and Social Media Challenges in India-Pakistan Context
A potential full-scale war between India and Pakistan has been averted, yet social media platforms have become a battleground for toxic behavior. Following an announcement by India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on halting military actions, his account on X (formerly Twitter) faced abusive trolling. This included attacks directed at his daughter, leading to condemnation from diplomats and politicians.
Context and Response
- Background: The announcement followed Operation Sindoor, a response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in 26 deaths.
- Government Action: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting criticized Pakistan's disinformation campaign but remained silent on the trolling incident.
Social Media Impact
The rise of social media in India has led to participatory public discourse but not necessarily civil behavior. There is a notable pattern of platforms being exploited for hate speech and distortion of facts, with women, minorities, and marginalized communities frequently targeted.
Legal and Policy Measures
- Surveillance: Tech companies are urged to monitor and curb online trolling.
- Legal Framework: Calls for stringent anti-troll laws to prevent harassment.
- Draft DPDP Rules, 2025: These rules propose penalties for the misuse of personal data.
- Current Provisions: Limited measures under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act against cyberbullying.
- Court Actions: Courts have been proactive in removing offensive content and ensuring disclosure of subscriber information linked to offending accounts.
- Case Reference: In Shaviya Sharma case (2024), the Delhi High Court emphasized the need to check acts of doxing to protect privacy rights.
Conclusion
In a democratic setup, all voices should be heard, but disinformation and misinformation should be curtailed through effective guidelines and laws to ensure respectful and secure online interactions.