Social media should not encourage mob violence |
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Social media platforms cannot be used to provoke violence or influence elections, said Ravi Shankar Prasad, India’s Minister for Electronics and IT, and Law and Justice. Speaking to India-West at San Francisco’s iconic Fairmont Hotel, Prasad stated: India supports freedom of ideas and expression. But any attempt to provoke people into committing violence, or to foment crime and hatred, is unacceptable. Prasad met with Chris Daniels, CEO of WhatsApp – whose largest user base is Indians and Indian Americans – after concerns arose in July that the popular app had set off a wave of mob lynchings. Prasad said he had asked Daniels to launch an India-based office, at which a company grievance officer could be housed, and to “follow Indian law.” He also asked Daniels to proactively trace and ban content that could potentially foment mob violence in India. The minister said Daniels agreed to the first three terms, but has not agreed to curate content before it is delivered.Asked if such a demand constituted prior restraint, Prasad responded: If some people are using the forum to create havoc, they must be restrained and held accountable, he said. Prasad also noted that social media should not be used to influence elections.
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