Technology Desk: The Government of India has adopted a strict stance regarding the safety of children on social media. After pressure from the government, Meta has accepted an important condition. Now the company will give information about cases of sexual exploitation involving children to Indian law enforcement agencies.
According to government sources, Meta will report information about such cases directly to the police and investigating agencies on its platform. The government has called this the first step towards online safety of children.
Government is strict regarding the safety of children
The government has given a clear message to social media companies. Safety of children is necessary to work in the country. The government says that the online safety of children cannot be compromised.
The government is now talking to other social media platforms also. Its purpose is to identify and prevent objectionable content.
According to the report, some paid advertisements related to such content were running on Instagram. Through these advertisements, users were being directed to Telegram channels.
It was revealed that objectionable material was present on these channels. After this, the Government of India increased the pressure on Meta to take action.
Meta officials appeared before NCPCR
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights i.e. NCPCR also took cognizance of the matter. On September 9, senior officials of Meta India appeared before the Commission.
The Commission asked questions regarding the objectionable advertisements running on Instagram. Earlier in July also, the government had directed Meta to remove such content. The government had also sought a detailed reply from the company within seven days.
Meta banned more than 1.6 lakh accounts
Meta said that such content and accounts are removed upon receiving information. The company said cases involving child exploitation are reported to NCMEC.
In India, the company talked about sharing data under the rules related to POCSO Act. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal is also used for this.
According to Meta, action was taken against more than 1.6 lakh accounts in India in the last six months. These accounts were violating security rules.
Now Indian agencies will get information directly
The government's demand was not limited to just closing the accounts. The government wanted information about such cases to go directly to Indian law enforcement agencies.
Now Meta has accepted this condition. This will make it easier for the police to get information in cases of sexual abuse involving children.
However, the government says that more steps need to be taken. Talks on this issue are also going on with other social media platforms.
