Will Facebook, Twitter, Instagram be blocked in India from May 26?

Popular international social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can be blocked in India From May 26, if they do not follow the new Intermediary Guidelines.

The last date to accept the guidelines set by Modi government is May 25 and till date WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter have not complied with it.

Koo App is the only platform that has adhered to the new guidelines ahead of the May 25 deadline. Comparatively a new app, Koo was developed in Bangalore in 2020 and had won the Government of India' Atmanirbhar App innovation challenge in August 2020.

The ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had given a three-month time in February to the above mentioned social media platforms to adhere to the new rules.

The US based companied had asked for six months time as they are waiting for a response from their US headquarters.

"It is a crucial moment for the social media companies because if they do not comply with the new rules by May 25, they will lose their status and protections as intermediaries and criminal action can be taken against them as per the laws of India," a government official said in a statement, reported India Today.

Facebook meanwhile has stated that they are working on the "operational process" so that they can comply with the Government of India's new IT rules. Revealing whether Facebook will comply with the rules or not, a company spokesperson said in a statement, “We aim to comply with the provisions of the IT rules and continue to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government. Pursuant to the IT rules, we are working to implement operational processes and improve efficiencies. Facebook remains committed to people’s ability to freely and safely express themselves on our platform.”

According to the new rules, the social media platforms will have to appoint a compliance officers from India. This officer will monitor the content, look after the complaints and remove the content if he finds it objectionable.

Even the OTT platforms too will have to appoint a redressal officer in India who will keep a track of the complaints regarding the content and take action on the complaints within 10 days.