Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter may lose ‘intermediaries’ tag in two days

Top social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp, and Twitter are at the risk of losing their status and protections as “intermediaries” and may become liable for criminal action, if they do not comply with the IT Rules which were notified in February and come into effect from Wednesday, official sources told ET. Significant social media intermediaries were given three months time to comply with the new rules — a deadline which expires on May 26 — but sources said that none of the top platforms has complied till date.

If they lose their immunity as intermediaries, they will be equally responsible for any unlawful content (say obscene pictures or impersonation) as the person posting such content under the Indian Penal Code. The top requirements under the new rules were to appoint Resident Grievance Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Nodal Contact Person and publish their details on their website along with a physical contact address. The rules had also mandated traceability of the originator of messages along with provision for voluntary verification to users as a means to establish their identity.