Expect Twitter To Comply With IT Rules: India On Takeover By Elon Musk

After Tesla boss Elon Musk took over US tech giant Twitter, MoS for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar told Reuters that the country’s expectations remain unchanged on the platform’s compliance with the IT rules.

“Our rules and laws for intermediaries remain the same regardless of who owns the platforms,” Chandrasekhar told the news agency. “So, the expectation of compliance with Indian laws and rules remains.”

The comment comes amid the ongoing tussle between the Indian government and Twitter over content-related issues. In July this year, the company took the government to court seeking to overturn some of its content takedown orders.

Last month, Twitter told the Karnataka High Court that a majority of tweets that the government ordered to block were “innocuous”. 

Musk completed the acquisition of micro-blogging platform Twitter in a $44 Bn deal and let go some of the company’s top executives including CEO Parag Agrawal. It must be noted that while Twitter has been actively blocking the accounts of several prominent individuals for controversial posts, including the account of former US President Donald Trump, Musk has been vocal about lowering moderation and allowing voices to be heard more freely.

When asked about the government’s thoughts on Twitter ban for individuals like Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, Chandrasekhar reportedly did not answer directly. 

Twitter permanently blocked the account of Ranaut, one of the vehement supporters of the current BJP government, in May last year after a series of controversial tweets against Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee.

However, Chandrasekhar spoke about India’s new amended IT rules, which he said would be released on Friday or Saturday after months of consultation.

During an event last month, the minister had said that the final version of the amended IT Rules, 2021 would be published soon. “These new laws, in a sense, supersede existing legislation. So, the Digital India Act will clearly supersede the IT Act (of 2000). There is no question of both of them existing. If there are any contradictions with the existing and legacy laws, we will get them amended,” he had said.

Earlier, experts had raised concerns on the new draft amendments to IT Rules, 2021, published in June this year. 

The Indian government has been at loggerheads with Twitter over its alleged non-compliance with the IT Rules, 2021.