Government issues advisory directing social media platforms to curb COVID-19 related misinformation

The Centre has asked social media platforms to curb misinformation and fake news relating to COVID-19 pandemic.

To this end, the ministry of electronics and IT has released an advisory for social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram, directing them to initiate awareness campaigns amongst their user base urging them not to circulate any false news or misinformation in relation to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Ministry has asked the social media platforms to take immediate action towards the removal of such fake news and promote authentic information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. The platforms have been asked to issue warnings to preparators who misuse these platforms to spread misinformation.

As per the advisory, the social media platforms are intermediaries as defined in the Information Technology Act, 2000 and are therefore required to follow due diligence, as mentioned in the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

These rules were notified under section 79 of the IT Act in February 2021.