Internet Overkill
The power to shut down websites and apps is draconian and excessive .
Successive Indian govts. have a tendency to enact sweeping and draconian laws that appear to encompass all conceivable areas of human activity and endeavour , so that people can be held liable and harassed for even innocuous activities if athorities so choose . This paves the way for inspector raj and makes doing business exceedingly difficult in the country - ultimately curbing Indians' prosperity as well as freedom . Government's reported plan to amend the Information Technology Ac to introduce drastic provisions , like taking down apps and websites on which fake news or unlawful content is posted , is an excellent example, It will achieve none of its purported aims and end up doing a lot of harm .
While the existing IT act already has provision to block specific information on websites, real time regulation of millions of user generated conversations on social media and messaging conversations on social media ad messaging platforms is near impossible . Attempting to hold website responsible for everything that happens on them is like holding the phone company responsible if a crime is arranged over the phone . Moreover , the fake news ecosystem encompasses for too many people for any legislation to properly curb. At the end of the day Judgments about fake news can only be made by individuals, o legislation can dictate this .
Those who have shared fake news include Union ministers, not to mention thousands of ordinary people who forward fake messages because these subscribe to their world view or biases . This is election time and fake news is grist for the mill . Governments attempts to eliminate fake news via legislation will themselves be fake , in the sense that they will inevitably be aimed at the opposition - no matter who is in power . The adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely will certainly apply in this case. The real answer to those organising lunch mobs or putting out child pornography is a police machinery that drives the fear of law into them .
IT is one of the Indian economy's strong suits, even more so since manufacturing has failed to take off. The proposed IT laws can cripple India's internet economy if companies constantly worry about shutdowns . Government must desist from throwing out the baby with the bathwater . A local crackdown does not address content from foreign shores over which India has no jurisdiction . Don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg .
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