Authorities demand removal of misleading content spreading false information from TikTok and Facebook platforms
The Indian government has taken a firm stance against the spread of false and misleading information about the coronavirus on social media platforms. On March 31, 2020, the Supreme Court expressed concern over such content while hearing a matter on the subject.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a communication to social media platforms like TikTok, Helo, and Facebook, requesting them to remove misinformation about the coronavirus. This comes after a report submitted by Voyager Infosec, an open-source intelligence and fact-checking IT firm, which highlighted a large number of fake and misleading audio and video clips being circulated on these platforms.
Major technology companies such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Google, also requested the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to remove rogue messages that were undermining the Indian government's efforts to combat COVID-19.
MeitY has urged social media platforms to work closely with each other to identify and remove such content, including audio and video messages, as soon as they are detected. The ministry has also asked social media companies to save information of all those who create or upload such messages, and to submit daily reports on the measures they are taking to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The report submitted to India Cyber Crime Coordination Centre analyzed over 30,000 videos within a period of five days. Most of the analyzed videos were created with professional video editing software. Originally uploaded accounts are being deleted after circulating the videos on other social media platforms.
The videos found by Voyager Infosec are primarily posted on the Chinese mobile video app TikTok with fake information about coronavirus and religious instigations against health advisories. However, TikTok has stated that they are actively working with the government to support them in their efforts to fight misinformation and to elevate credible information related to COVID-19 on their platform.
The ministry has also asked social media companies to save details of uploaders of such malicious content which can be shared with law enforcement agencies when required. An email query sent to Facebook elicited no immediate reply.
A notable aspect of the report is that several videos are being posted on social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter to influence Muslims in India against following safe practices to contain coronavirus infection.
The ministry has made it clear that the rogue messages effectively weaken the all-out effort being made by the Indian government for containing the spread of coronavirus. They have also emphasized that such false and misinformation-based messages have the potential to create panic and other online harms.
In conclusion, the Indian government is taking proactive steps to combat the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus on social media platforms. This is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of the public during these challenging times.
