Govt does not intend to make social media users' verification mandatory: Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar

He asserted that the provisions made in the new IT rules are “effectively” to deal with the issues of safety and trust online.

The Government does not intend to make social media users’ verification mandatory in view of the privacy issue, Minister of State for Electronic and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar told the Lok Sabha on March 30.

To ensure that internet is open, safe, trusted and accountable to all users, the Government notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules in February last year, he said during the Question Hour.

“And we will continue to expand the scope of those kinds of rule to ensure that internet is safe and trusted,” he added.

He was replying to questions from members of the Congress and DMK.

Sharing concerns raised by Congress member Abdul Khaleque, the Minister said the Internet and technology have empowered people and transformed their lives and governance, being “a platform for good”, but user harm, criminality and fake news type of issues are also on the rise.

“I empathise with what you are saying but our approach is not to make it [verification of the users] mandatory,” he said.

He asserted that the provisions made in the new IT rules are “effectively” to deal with the issues of safety and trust online, and misuse of social media leading to law and order problems in the country.