Target: Mr. Elon Musk, Owner of X (formerly Twitter), United States of America.
Goal: Eradicate content related to child sexual abuse.
On October 6, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in India reportedly issued stern warnings to top-tier social media intermediaries, hinting at potential removal of their legal protection should they fail to eliminate content linked with child sexual abuse. Noteworthy among these intermediaries is X, previously recognized as Twitter, which is now under the ownership of Mr. Elon Musk. Alongside other platforms like YouTube and Telegram, X received clear directives from MeitY. These directives centered around the prompt removal of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) tailored for Indian audiences, as revealed by an official statement.
Under the existing legal framework, Section 79 of the IT Act, these platforms enjoy a “safe harbour protection”, effectively insulating them from legal repercussions. Yet, any hesitance or delay in compliance might lead to stripping away of this protection. Furthermore, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar communicated the government’s intent: ensuring zero tolerance for CSAM on platforms such as X. He stressed that the IT rules, as sanctioned by the IT Act, maintain stern expectations from intermediaries; they must actively deter harmful or criminal content from their platforms.
The gravity of this situation becomes even more palpable when one examines sections 66E, 67, 67A, and 67B of the IT Act. They outline rigorous penalties for the online distribution of obscene content, including CSAM. Consequently, the notices dispatched to these platforms underscore a pivotal imperative: the expeditious and permanent removal of CSAM. Additionally, there’s a call for the inception of forward-thinking strategies, like content moderation algorithms, ensuring the prevention of CSAM dissemination in the foreseeable future. Take action now.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Elon Musk,
Recent developments involving X, the platform now under your stewardship, have come to the forefront. Specifically, warnings issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) regarding child sexual abuse material on prominent social media platforms, including X. We, the collective voice of concerned global citizens, urge you to regard this matter with utmost gravity.
Considering X’s wide-reaching influence and your standing as its owner, it becomes imperative to ensure it remains free from content as heinous as CSAM. We, therefore, beseech you to undertake rigorous measures, ensuring stringent monitoring and compliance with MeitY’s guidelines.
An immediate, transparent, and effective response will not only fortify X’s reputation but will also stand as a testament to your commitment to fostering a safe online environment. We trust in your capacity to steer X towards upholding the highest standards of digital ethics and safety.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: TED Conference
