Meta can no longer be considered a “simple intermediary” but is a “service provider” when its algorithms amplify and decide on the content visibility, government sources said on Wednesday, asserting that just as service providers have many responsibilities, the social media company must take more onus going forward.
“But we believe they do not have the immunity,” government sources said. Emphasising that every service provider has certain responsibilities, sources said that Meta’s move now to take responsibility for content on its platform marks a significant shift in its stance in the social media space. “Service providers have many responsibilities…once Meta has agreed to be responsible for what they have on the platform, then as the next steps, they have to start taking many more responsibilities,” sources said.
Meta has agreed to report child safety-related matters directly to the cybercrime portal managed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), as the government pushes social media platforms for stronger safeguards and greater accountability amid a crackdown on child sexual abuse material and other harmful content online.
Protecting children on digital platforms is a priority for the company, a Meta spokesperson on Tuesday said, adding that “We’re committed to working with the government to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held responsible”. Earlier on Tuesday, government sources said that online safety of children is a “fundamental principle” for any social media platform operating in India and is absolutely “non-negotiable”.
