Lok Sabha Question No. 3630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Misleading Information on Government Policies and Programmes
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3630

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.03.2021

## MISLEADING INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES

## 3630.   SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAIPATEL:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether several neighbouring countries and their media and social media are indulging in misleading and incorrect propaganda about the policies and actions of our Government and if so, the details thereof and there action of the Government thereto;
- (b)    the    steps    being    taken    by    the    Government    to  provide  reliable  information  on  such  policies  and actions; and
- (c)  the steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent people from falling prey to the campaigns by several neighbouring countries under which misleading and false information in provided?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (c): Cyber space is a complex environment of people, software, hardware and services on the Internet. With  a  borderless  cyberspace  coupled  with  the  possibility  of  instant  communication  and  anonymity,  the potential for misuse of cyberspace and social media platforms for misleading and incorrect propaganda is a global issue. The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 has provisions for removal of objectionable online content.  Section 79 of the Act provides that intermediaries including social media platforms are required to disable/remove  unlawful  content  relatable  to  Article  19(2)  of  the  Constitution,  on  being  notified  by appropriate government or its agency or through a court order. In order to provide enhanced user safety as also  accountability  of  digital  media  platforms,  Government  has  released  the  Information  Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 notified under the Act. Content which is prohibited under any law for the time being in force shall not be published or transmitted.

Also,  section  69A  of  the  IT  Act,  2000  empowers  Government  to  block  any  information  generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India,  defence  of  India,  security  of  the  State,  friendly  relations  with  foreign  states  or  public  order  or  for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above. When brought to the knowledge  of  Government,  Government  has  taken  action  on  such  social  media  accounts  and  specific information falling within the scope of section 69A of the Act.

Further, Government has set up a portal india.gov.in to  disseminate  trustworthy Government policies and activities. The Portal provides a single window access to the information and services being provided by the Indian  Government for  citizens  and  other  stakeholders.  The  Portal  endeavours  to  provide  comprehensive, accurate,  reliable  and  one-stop  source  of  information  about  India  and  its  various  facets  and  links  to  other Indian Government Portals/websites, which are also working on ' gov.in ' domain.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has set up a dedicated cell (Counter Misinformation Unit) under Press Information Bureau (PIB) as a measure to counter fake news on policies, schemes, programs etc. by

Government of India. The Unit has a presence on prominent social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and lnstagram. The unit takes suo moto cognizance of fake news going viral on social media and also on basis of outside complaints.

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