On regulation of social media: Social Media Beware

News: Australian PM has announced new laws to help clean up social media.

What is the new Australian law?

It is expected to tackle trollers on social media who go around hurting people without consequences.

The new law will vest liability with the person making the comment.

In case the troller cannot be identified, the social media provider will be deemed to be the publisher of the comment. It would be made to pay any payouts arising from defamatory comments on its platform.

Significance: This is a major change in the “unprecedented liability shield” whereby social media platforms have largely escaped the legal implications of content published there.

Why do countries need such laws?

Social media companies spend resources to fact-check and moderate speech, however, it is extremely unevenly spread across different countries.

Inadequate efforts: Whatever attempts taken by platforms to identify and suspend anonymous perpetrators, whether via algorithmic or human monitors, it is inadequate to solve the problem.

Therefore, countries have begun to look to other paths for tackling the hate and misinformation.

What is the benefit & challenges of anonymity offered by social media platforms?

Benefit: It has given voice to various marginalised communities, and to dissidents in repressive regimes.

Challenges: In India, anonymous bullying and harassment is too common on Twitter. Be it journalists or women, threat of life and rape to women is common and ever-present.

The constant contempt and attempt to malice the dignity of someone often serves political parties.

What is the stand of India on it and the way forward?

India’s intermediary rules refer to voluntary verification of social media users. However, if companies do not tackle the issue, India must look at other options, like mandatory verification.

Source: This post is based on the article “Social Media Beware” published in Times of India on 01 Dec 2021.