India calls for stronger responsibility from social platforms as harmful content surges.
Deepfakes and rapid misinformation spread seen as major threats to public confidence.
Govt seeks balance between innovation and safety, but accountability remains challenging.
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, the IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that social media platforms must take full responsibility for the content that appears on their platform. The minister noted that the online content now shapes the public opinion in the blink of an eye and that the harmful material can weaken the trust between the citizens and the institutions.
SurveyHe pointed out that deepfakes, synthetic media and fast-spreading rumours are creating new challenges for governments across the world. Vaishnaw added that India expects every digital platform operating in the country to follow local laws and understand India’s social environment. The minister said the government aims to keep encouraging innovation while also ensuring public safety.
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IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shows his concern by stating that the global leaders are increasingly worried about the growing impact of online platforms. According to him, misleading visuals, edited videos and false information are spreading faster than fact-based communication. He warned that this pattern could damage public confidence in important institutions. The minister said such issues are not limited to India but are affecting countries everywhere.
The minister stressed that platforms must accept clear responsibility for what gets published. He said that India follows a technological approach where laws focus on principles rather than strict rules. This, he explained, helps the government respond quickly to new digital risks while allowing useful technologies to grow. He also said that companies must respect the Constitution and laws of India while operating here.
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Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government wants to support new ideas in the digital space but will not allow harmful content to disturb society. He added that the goal is to create a balance where citizens benefit from innovation without facing risks. The minister said there is ongoing engagement between the government, industry and civil society to build stronger safeguards.
Despite existing rules and community standards, harmful or inappropriate content can still be found on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X and Snapchat. Experts say that monitoring everything online is difficult because of the scale and speed of content uploads. Even with large teams and advanced tools, platforms may not be able to remove all harmful material. This raises questions about how platforms will meet the level of responsibility the government expects.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
