IT rules give 72 hours but remove illegal content as fast as possible

Digital Desk: IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated on Saturday that he believes platforms should remove illegal content "as quickly as feasible" even if social media standards call for them to do so within 72 hours of receiving a report of it.

Given that the "virality and velocity" of false information tends to be much higher, Chandrasekhar claimed that the IT Ministry had been keen on prescribing a 24-hour timeline for the removal of illegal content (as specified under rules), but that it had ultimately settled on 72 hours after extensive consultations.

The minister stated, "Frankly, I think 72 hours is too long. It was 24 hours during the consultation, but it was universally agreed that this is still early on, so let's retain it at 72 hours. Gradually, as the platforms gain capacity and competency, we will create a shorter window.

"Letter of IT rules states 72 hours, but the spirit should be as fast as possible," was his message to social networking sites.

The complaints regarding illegal content could include "objectionable" material that fosters "enmity between different groups based on religion or caste with the intent to incite violence," as well as nudity, trademark and patent infringements, false information, impersonation of another person, content endangering the unity and integrity of the nation.

According to the regulations, social media sites must remove particular controversial content within 72 hours of receiving a notification.

Platforms will be under more pressure to exercise due diligence and make reasonable efforts to delete illegal content on their own under the new IT regulations that took effect on Friday.

When a piece of content is reported, "if you are unable to do it with your content moderation, algorithm, personnel, etc., that content has to come down in 72 hours," he said, adding that every effort must be made to remove it far more rapidly.