Government gives final notice to Twitter for compliance with new IT rules

​​​​​NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday issued a final notice to social media platform Twitter for compliance with the new Information Technology (IT) rules, 2021.

In the notice, the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) said, "it is dismayed to note that your (Twitter's) responses to the ministry's letters neither address the clarifications sought by this ministry nor indicate full compliance with the rules."

It further stated that "it is clear from your responses that till date Twitter has not informed about the details of the chief compliance officer as required under the rules."

The Centre asked the micro-blogging platform to name a compliance officer as well as appoint a company employee as grievance officer and a nodal contact person.

"As gesture of goodwill, Twitter Inc is hereby given one last notice to immediately comply with the rules. Failure to comply will lead to Twitter losing exemption from liability under IT Act and draw penal provisions," the notice mentioned.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi high court had said that social media platforms, including Twitter, have "no choice" but to comply with India’s new IT rules for digital media.

Twitter assured the court it had complied with the rules and already appointed a resident grievance officer, adding it would file its response to the plea. But the Centre disputed the claim.

New IT rules

Under the new digital rules, social media companies like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter have been asked to identify within 36 hours the originator of a flagged message as well as to conduct additional due diligence, including the appointment of a chief compliance officer, nodal contact person and resident grievance officer.

The new IT rules came into force on May 26.