The Central government asked Twitter and other social media platforms to take down dozens of tweets, posts and URLs which “spread fake or misleading information and created panic” about the Covid-19 situation in India. According to government sources, certain users posted unrelated, old and out of context images or visuals, communally sensitive posts and misinformation about Covid-19 protocols.
“The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on the recommendation of Ministry of Home Affairs asked social media platforms to remove around 100 posts or URLs,” said the sources. Ministry said that the decision was taken to “prevent obstructions in fight against the pandemic and escalation of public order. If the content violates Twitter’s Rules, the content will be removed from the service. If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction, but not in violation of the Twitter Rules, we may withhold access to the content in India only.The development comes at a time when India is registering a record number of coronavirus infections daily. Earlier, microblogging site Twitter confirmed having removed over four dozen tweets allegedly criticising the central government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
