Working with govt to remove hateful content: FB, Google

The government has ordered ban of 310 webpages charging that morphed images and videos were uploaded displaying alleged atrocities on Muslims

PTI | August 22, 2012



Internet companies Google and Facebook on Tuesday said they are working with Indian authorities to remove "inflammatory and hateful content" on their websites.

"We understand the gravity of the situation, strongly condemn acts of violence and continue to work closely with relevant authorities. Content intended to incite violence, such as hate speech, is prohibited on Google products where we host content, including YouTube, Google+ and Blogger," Google said in a statement.

It added that Google acts "quickly to remove such material flagged by our users" and complies with valid legal requests from authorities wherever possible, consistent with its policy.

The government has ordered ban of 310 webpages charging that morphed images and videos were uploaded displaying alleged atrocities on Muslims. It said these led to the fear psychosis among the people of the North-East and their mass exodus from different parts of the country.

There have been debates in the past over social networks being misused for "inflammatory content" and monitoring of content on these websites. However, there was strong opposition saying such a move would be curbing freedom of expression.

Facebook, which has about 50 million users in India, also said it is working with the Indian authorities.

"Facebook will remove content which breaches our terms as set out in our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

Content or individuals can be removed from Facebook for a variety of reasons including issuing direct calls for violence or perpetuating hate speech," a Facebook spokesperson said.

"We have received requests from Indian authorities and agencies and are working through those requests and responding to the agencies," it added.

The spokeserson added that it encourages people to continue to use its tools to report content they are concerned about so that it can "investigate and take action fast."

According to the government, some of the content have been uploaded from outside the country, mostly from Pakistan, and wants the websites to take quick action to block them.

Ministry officials said so far 207 webpages have been blocked by the government agencies after orders were issued to block 310 as technical investigation found that all offensive images and videos were uploaded in them.

Of the 310 webpages, 93 webpages are expected to be blocked within a day or two while experts are examining the contents of remaining ten webpages.

Comments

 

Other News

India faces critical shortage of skin donors amid rising burn cases

India reports nearly 70 lakh burn injury cases every year, resulting in approximately 1.4 lakh deaths annually. Experts estimate that up to 50% of these lives could be saved with adequate access to skin donations.   A significant concern is that around 70% of burn victims fall wi

Not just politics, let`s discuss policies too

Why public policy matters Most days, India`s loudest debates stop at the ballot box. We can name every major leader and recall every campaign slogan. Still, far fewer of us can explain why a widow`s pension is delayed or how a government school`s budget is actually approved. That

When algorithms decide and children die

The images have not left me, of dead and wounded children being carried in the arms of the medics and relatives to the ambulances and hospitals. On February 28, at the start of Operation Epic Fury, cruise missiles struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh school – officially named a girls’ school, in Minab,

The economics of representation: Why women in power matter

India’s democracy has grown in scale, but not quite in balance. Women today are active participants in elections, influencing outcomes in ways that were not as visible earlier. Yet their presence in legislative institutions continues to lag behind. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was meant to addres

India will be powerful, not aggressive: Bhaiyyaji

India is poised to emerge as a global power but will remain rooted in its civilisational ethos of non-aggression and harmony, former RSS General Secretary Suresh `Bhaiyyaji` Joshi has said.   He was speaking at the launch of “Rashtrabhav,” a book by Ravindra Sathe

AI: Code, Control, Conquer

India today stands at a critical juncture in the area of artificial intelligence. While the country is among the fastest adopters of AI in the world, it remains heavily reliant on technologies developed elsewhere. This paradox, experts warn, cannot persist if India seeks technological sovereignty.


Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter