Social media companies warned of strict action over child abuse content
Ashwini Vaishnaw.
«This is a very serious issue. If platforms don't act with alacrity on protecting the privacy of users, especially children, strict action will be taken against them,» Vaishnaw told ET, urging the social media companies to comply with the government's directive in this regard.
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«The notices were sent on October 6 and these platforms were given four days to respond and confirm that they have cleaned up CSAM content from their platforms,» the minister of state for electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar told ET.
«CSAM content and other criminal content attract penalties under various laws like POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) and IPC (Indian Penal Code).»
Among the three companies, Telegram sent a «template response», without listing the specific steps it had taken despite the ministry's repeated demands, said an official, who did not wish to be identified. YouTube and X have so far not responded to the ministry's notices asking them to detail the action taken on CSAM and other obscene content.
«Under the IT Rules, the obligations on the platforms are very clear — that they block such content and identify the person(s) violating
