Mumbai: The government has blocked several social media handles for allegedly circulating “fake and inciting” content, said minister of state for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

“Taskforce on safe and trusted internet at @GoI_MeitY at work. Handles that tried to push fake/inciting content on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, have been blocked,” tweeted Chandrasekhar on Saturday. 

The minister said owners of such accounts are also being identified as per law, and the action taken by the platforms will also be scrutinised. According to media reports, the government has suspended as many as 73 Twitter handles, and four YouTube video posts.

Last year in February, the government had notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT rules 2021) which came into effect on 26 May. The stringent rules were designed to make social media platforms accountable to end-users, and take down any offensive content following a complaint, and assist in investigations.

The rules also recommend a three-tier mechanism for the regulation of all online media portals and publishers, over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and social media intermediaries. According to them, each significant social media company with over 50 lakh users is required to appoint a chief compliance officer, a nodal contact person for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies, and a resident grievance officer. All three should be resident Indians and their details be put on the company’s website.