These propaganda handles are managed by Pakistani and Khalistani users’
The Centre has asked social media platform Twitter to remove 1,178 anti-India propaganda handles managed by Pakistan and Khalistani users. The list was sent to Twitter on February 4.
Twitter has not complied with the January 31 directive of the Indian Government to block 257 tweets and accounts for tweeting inflammatory pro-farmers messages.
The Information and Technology Ministry issued the fresh directive after the Ministry of Home furnished inputs about anti-India propaganda unleashed by these accounts. According to sources, Twitter responded to the Government that the company is respecting local laws even while “protecting its foundational principle of free expression”.
“Many of these accounts were also automated bots that were used for sharing and amplifying misinformation and provocative contents on farmers’ protests,” said an official.
According to officials, Twitter has to comply with the orders of the Government of India and if there is any resistance to the order, the social media company would face charges of flouting various laws.
“Twitter’s stand on freedom of expression is an excuse. They are just a platform and must obey the laws and if they violate they will face prosecution,” said officials.
At a time when the microblogging site is surrounded by controversy and has received a notice from the Government for “violating Indian law” by not taking down tweets related to “farmers genocide”, Twitter India’s public policy head Mahima Kaul has resigned from her post citing personal reasons. Kaul had submitted her resignation in the first week of January and will be continuing at the firm till March. Twitter has also listed the job opening on its website.
“At the start of this year, Mahima decided to step down from her role as Twitter Public Policy Director for India and South Asia to take a well-deserved break. It’s a loss for all of us at Twitter, but after more than five years in the role we respect her desire to focus on the most important people and relationships in her personal life. Mahima will continue in her role till the end of March and will support the transition,” Twitter global policy head Monique Meche said.
Tuesday, 09 February 2021 | PNS | New Delhi
