- Twitter took serious action against 500 plus accounts in India.
- The platform was given notice by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Singer Rihanna also tweeted about the protests last week citing a CNN news report.
On Wednesday, Twitter said it took action on more than 500 accounts. It also decreased the exposure of some hashtags in India to comply with ‘several’ orders from the Indian government. This was after New Delhi threatened legal action against the American social network executives. At the behest of New Delhi earlier last week, Twitter suspended hundreds of Twitter accounts, some with links to farmers’ protests over agricultural reforms, but then reversed its decision in hours citing the freedom of expression of users. On Wednesday, the company said it was re-suspending most of those accounts indefinitely. In certain cases, and prohibiting those words from appearing in the Trends section.
The firm said that Twitter handles are only blocked in India and will remain available outside the country. It claims that the Indian government’s directives are incompatible with local law. It also said that no accounts have been taken down belonging to news media outlets, writers, activists, or politicians. To do so under Indian law will violate their constitutional right to free speech. Today, we notified MeitY [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology] of our compliance measures,’ Twitter’s blog said.
Indian Government’s Claim Against Twitter
Twitter has been served by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Over the last 10 days, several separate blocking orders under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act were stated. Of these, two were emergency blocking orders were complied with briefly. But, were later subsequently restored access to the content in a way that was compliant with Indian law. After referring this to MeitY, they were presented with a notice of non-compliance.
For over two months, millions of farmers have been protesting New Delhi’s new rules. Twitter has more than 75 million users in India through its apps. It has emerged as the single most important online platform for individuals seeking to express their views.
Rihanna’s Tweet about farmer’s protests
Singer Rihanna has more Twitter followers than any Indian actor or politician. She tweeted about the protests last week citing a CNN news report. The new laws aim to streamline the agricultural supply chain. And, the Indian government maintains that the new laws are aimed at benefiting farmers and consumers. New Delhi briefly shut down internet services near the demonstrations in and around the national capital last month.
The hashtag #modiplanningfarmersgenocide was also tweeted by many users. The company said that the Twitter rules were violated by multiple accounts and hashtags. Particularly by inciting harassment, abuse, harm wishes, and threats that could cause the risk of offline harm.
India had expressed concerns that several users were posting false and threatening claims and provocative messages in one of its orders to Twitter earlier this month. Twitter suspended the handling of many high-profile accounts during its brief time of compliance with the order last week. Including the Caravan, political commentator Sanjukta Basu, activist Hansraj Meena, actor Sushant Singh, Shashi Shekhar Vempati, chief executive of Prasar Bharti, a state-run broadcasting agency.
Twitter’s Response
Monique Meche, Vice President of Global Public Policy, and Jim Baker, Deputy General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with the Secretary of the Government of India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. New Delhi issued a more severe warning to Twitter and its executives after Twitter lifted the block, citing Section 69A of the nation, which allows “punishment with a term of imprisonment that may extend to seven years and is also liable for fines.” New Delhi said Twitter should not “assume the role of a court and justify non-compliance” in India.
According to a press release issued by New Delhi on Wednesday night, the Secretary “reminded Twitter of the action taken by Twitter in the United States during the Capitol Hill episode and compared it to the Red Fort disorder in India and its aftermath.” In the two cases, he expressed frustration about Twitter’s unequal treatment. A deep sense of dissatisfaction was expressed to the Twitter delegate in seeing Twitter side not with ‘freedom of speech’ but rather with those who tend to misuse that freedom and cause damage to public order.
The Secretary also raised concerns about the alleged misuse of Twitter to create campaigns “designed to create disharmony and unrest in India.” The ministry said this was “unacceptable and Twitter, by complying with the applicable law of the land, must take strong action against such well-coordinated campaigns against India.”
