Social media firms can’t avoid liability for damage caused by fake news: HC

The Madras High Court has held that social media companies cannot escape liability for the damage done to society through fake news or rumours spread through their platforms, and said they need to be held accountable for such misuse by users.

Underscoring the importance of holding intermediaries responsible for the content shared by users, the court said, “Fake news, misinformation and hate speeches can reach hundreds of people and consequently have a psychological impact on them leading to even unrest.”

“Law and order would be disrupted. The platforms cannot avoid liability for the damage that has been caused through its use,” it observed.

A division bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and N Seshasayee made the observations on a petition by Antony Clement Rubin on Friday.