Many MPs irate at the style of the functioning of Twitter in India and raised questions
Facing the ire of Parliamentarians, Twitter India on Thursday tendered a verbal apology to the joint Parliamentary committee on personal data protection over location tag in a live broadcast showing Leh and J&K as part of China. It is learned that the Members of Parliament (MP)s warned Twitter India’s representatives that seven years jail term has to face, if distort the map of India and asked the Twitter representatives to give the apology in writing. Twitter assured to submit the apology as soon as possible.
Demand a written apology
Showing strong displeasure, the panel has asked the micro-blogging site to tender a written apology and submit an affidavit in the matter. The representatives of Twitter had appeared before the committee, chaired by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, and “begged apology” but they were told by the members that it was a criminal offence that questioned the sovereignty of the country and an affidavit must be submitted by Twitter Inc, not by its ‘marketing arm’ Twitter India, reported PTI, India’s premier news agency.
Twitter was caught for showing the wrong map of India by veteran journalist Nitin Gokhale during his visit to Leh.
“The committee was of the unanimous opinion that Twitter’s explanation on showing Ladakh as part of China was inadequate,” said Meenakshi Lekhi told media after the meeting. The Twitter representatives told the panel that the social media company respects the sensitivities of India, she said.
“But, it is not only a question of the sensitivity of India or Indians. It is a question about national integrity and sovereignty of the country, and not respecting that is a criminal offence. And displaying Indian map improperly and incorrectly is an offence of treason and attracts imprisonment of seven years,” she said, adding that Twitter was also asked about its banning policy.
“Shadowbanning, banning policy… there is no clarity about it. Such actions are very subjective…Twitter is becoming a law onto themselves and under these circumstances, they are violating Article 19 of the Constitution about the freedom of expression,” she said.
Many MPs expressed frustration at the style of the functioning of Twitter in India and also raised questions about Twitter’s transparency policy and its actions during elections, especially vis-a-vis their policies in other countries. Meenakshi Lekhi and BJD MP Bharturhari Mahatab reminded Twitter representatives that they have to adhere to Indian rules when they are doing business in India.
Senior Govt. official writes to Twitter CEO
Earlier through a strongly worded letter, Ajay Sawhney, Secretary, MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), asked Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to respect the sensitivities of Indian citizens. He warned that the attempt to disrespect the sovereignty and integrity of India, which is also reflected by the maps, is totally unacceptable and unlawful. Sawhney also raised questions about Twitter’s neutrality and fairness as an intermediary.
A Twitter spokesperson said they remain committed to working with the Government of India and that they respect the sensitivities involved, duly acknowledging the letter. Twitter was caught for showing the wrong map of India by veteran journalist Nitin Gokhale during his visit to Leh. He noticed that Twitter showed his location in China and the matter became a big controversy. Reacting to Twitter India’s apology, Nitin Gokhale tweeted:
Glad this is happening. The original issue was noticed here: https://t.co/MmFtGvxC5G https://t.co/lKwSr8lwDU
— Nitin A. Gokhale (@nitingokhale) October 29, 2020
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Oh please.
These companies have so much dirt on the average Indian that the government can’t do anything. One password reset is all it takes to control every thing a government official ever said on the platform.
The average Indian police department has so much complaints from locals that it’s a goldmine of information for the west.
From face recognition to vaccines trials to birth controls experiments under the guise of family planning, colonialism 3.0 is alive and well within India.
[…] Facing ire of India’s MPs, Twitter begs apology to Parliament panel for wrongly showing Leh, Jammu… – Oct 29, 2020, […]
Tweeter,Facebook and Google are not Socialist, they are flat out Communist no different than the CCP in China.
USA politicians asked above said CEO “are you the refs? That is ‘referees’ to decide what USA needs, peoplel want…………….?
This Dorsy when appeared before DOJ, Mr. Ted Cruz pounded him day before yesterday!
Cruz asked Dorsy “who the hell appointed you………?”
Hope Trump will reenact section 230 if he returns to power.
Social Media crossed all limits of decency
Subject to correction Dorsy got bail 7 years ago from HC Rajasthan during Cong-I regime!
Verbal apology from Twitter is of NO USE.
[…] खबर को अंग्रेजी में यहाँ […]
Ban these social media from India.
Govts must force the uncouth Social Media companies to work according to law of the land. Must be fixed if violate. Good Indian MPs showed Twitter how to behave