Technology Desk: There has been a long discussion and tussle between the Government of India and social media company Meta regarding content moderation. Now Meta's stance regarding obscene and objectionable content related to children i.e. CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) seems to be stricter than before.
According to information quoting government sources, Meta is taking more strict steps to remove and filter illegal content from its platforms. The government has also clarified that people involved in illegal activities cannot claim safe-harbor i.e. legal protection in such cases.
However, the interaction between the government and Meta is not limited to CSAM only. Issues like content moderation according to Indian languages and culture, labeling of AI generated content and WhatsApp username are also at the center of discussion.
Government's stance regarding action against illegal content
The government has clarified that the action taken against illegal content on social media will be within the ambit of India's existing laws and constitutional system.
According to the government side, no action will be taken outside the prescribed legal procedure in any case. The government says that it is necessary under the existing laws to stop illegal activities on online platforms.
Meta's stance on CSAM becomes strict
The government has been continuously demanding social media companies to take strict action regarding sexually exploitative content related to children. CSAM is classified as serious and illegal content.
According to government sources, Meta is now showing more strictness in identifying such content and removing it from its platform. For this, emphasis is being laid on filtering the content and strengthening the process of taking action on such matters.
The government says that people involved in illegal content or such activities cannot get legal protection merely on the basis of being a social media platform.
Moderation system should understand Indian languages and culture
The government has put forward another important issue before Meta regarding content moderation. The government wants that content moderation in India should not only be done on the basis of global rules, but the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country should also be kept in mind.
In India, the meaning of any content may vary due to different languages, dialects and socio-cultural contexts. In such a situation, the government argues that moderation teams should have a better understanding of the local language and context.
The purpose of this is to ensure that a post or video is not wrongly considered objectionable based solely on global moderation standards, or that objectionable content in the local context is not ignored.
Government also keeps an eye on WhatsApp username
The government has also clarified its stand on the ongoing discussion regarding WhatsApp username. According to the government, this issue should not be limited to only Meta or WhatsApp.
The government side is looking at it from the perspective of the entire messaging industry. That is, if any new rule or system is implemented regarding username, then in future it may affect other messaging platforms also.
Label required on content made from AI
The government has also expressed concern about the content created with Artificial Intelligence i.e. AI. The government wants clear labeling of photos, videos or other content created with AI. This will help users understand whether the content in front of them is genuine or created with the help of AI.
The government is linking this demand with the users' Right to Know. The issue of content identification has become important, especially at a time when photos and videos created with the help of AI can appear more realistic than ever before.
Government said – the aim is not censorship
According to government officials, these steps are not aimed at suppressing anyone's voice or imposing censorship on social media. The government says that social media platforms should not be used to spread such content, which can harm the social fabric of the country. The government's focus is on reducing the risks associated with illegal content, misinformation and misuse of technology.
Emphasis on responsibility along with freedom of expression
The government has also given the example of western countries regarding social media regulation. The government says that controlling and regulating social media platforms is no longer only India's problem, but this challenge is faced by many countries of the world.
The government has also said that freedom of expression is important, but there is a provision in the Indian Constitution to impose reasonable restrictions on this right.
According to the government side, the social and cultural circumstances of every country are different. Therefore, while deciding the rules of social media platforms, it is important to keep in mind India's own constitutional system, laws, linguistic diversity and social conditions.
In this entire matter, further talks between the government and Meta on issues like CSAM, AI content identification, moderation in local languages and WhatsApp username are being considered important.