Compliance Report by Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology on Regulation of Social Media Platforms: Delhi High Court
Title: X & Ors. v. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) & Anr.
Ordered on: 17th August, 2023
+ CRL.M.C. 2214/2020, CRL.M.C. 2399/2020 & CRL.M.C. 2215/2020
CORAM: HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA
Introduction
The Delhi High Court received a compliance report from the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) in response to a previous order seeking compliance with the court’s judgment. The judgment had addressed the regulation of social media platforms and intermediaries to make them safer by curbing the use of vulgar language and profanity.
Facts
The compliance report was submitted as per the court’s order dated April 12, 2023. The court had requested compliance with its judgment issued on March 6, 2023, in petitions related to the regulation of social media platforms. The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) filed the report, acknowledging the court’s directions and observations and assuring that the concerns raised by the court would be considered in the formulation of policies and regulations.
Analysis
The compliance report stated that MeitY had taken note of the directions and observations provided in the court’s judgment, along with subsequent orders dated April 12, 2023, and June 1, 2023. The report highlighted specific paragraphs (60, 76, 84, and 85) of the judgment that were of relevance. MeitY affirmed that it would incorporate rules and regulations to regulate social media platforms and intermediaries in order to make them safer from the use of vulgar language, profanity, and bad words, as per the court’s judgment.
Order
The court, after reviewing the compliance report, acknowledged that the matter pertained to a policy decision to be taken by the Ministry and the legislature. The court expressed satisfaction with the compliance report, considering it as sufficient compliance with its order. The court was assured that the concerns raised in its judgment would be addressed and incorporated into future rules and regulations pertaining to social media platforms.
Conclusion
The compliance report submitted by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology reflects the government’s acknowledgment of the court’s concerns regarding the regulation of social media platforms. The court’s decision to accept the compliance report as sufficient indicates its confidence that the Ministry will undertake the necessary policy measures to address the issues raised in the court’s judgment and ensure a safer online environment.
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Written by- Ankit Kaushik