Amid the ongoing CJP protests in Delhi, the government has taken significant action against social media. Social media companies will be required to take action against AI-edited videos created about the protests.
Delhi protests social media advisory.
Amid protests in Delhi related to the CJP and demands for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, the central government has issued an advisory to social media companies, urging them to take priority action on complaints from government agencies regarding illegal posts related to the protests.
The government is concerned that false, misleading, or altered images and videos related to the protests are being shared on social media. Some posts may be displayed out of context. Such content could potentially spread confusion, disrupt peace, and incite violence. The government has asked platforms to identify such posts and take timely action upon receiving complaints. Read more about the advisory.
Prioritize complaints from government agencies.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked major social media companies to prioritize complaints from authorized government agencies, including those responsible for law and order. Platforms will be required to monitor content related to the ongoing protests in Delhi that may be illegal.
Upon receiving a complaint, government agencies must investigate the post and take necessary action. The government emphasizes that misinformation can spread rapidly and cause confusion. Therefore, companies should address such complaints without delay.
Labels will have to be put on posts made using AI.
The government advisory also addresses images and videos created using AI (Artificial Intelligence). Social media companies have been asked to label such content as AI-generated, especially if it is being shared as real images or videos of the current protests or incidents in Delhi.
Nowadays, it's quite easy to create images and videos using AI tools, and even alter previously created videos. Therefore, without AI labels, such posts may appear authentic to viewers. This can make it difficult for people to understand whether what they're seeing is a real video of the incident or an AI-generated video. The labels will help users understand this. The government has asked platforms to focus on identifying and labeling such posts.
Agencies must provide information on time.
The government has urged social media companies to cooperate promptly with law enforcement agencies and other authorized government bodies. This includes providing necessary information and assistance as required by law. Companies must do this in accordance with applicable laws and within the prescribed timeframes. The advisory also references the timeframes set under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
Simply put, social media companies must promptly address complaints and requests received from government agencies and respond without delay. This is because misleading posts related to the ongoing protests in Delhi could impact peace and law and order. Therefore, all platforms have been asked to investigate all reported complaints and take timely action if necessary.
