Can India suspend Twitter if it fails to comply with IT rules?

Source From: IANS 2021-06-07 12:51:12

As India takes its fight with Twitter over non-compliance of the new IT rules to the final round, can the country go ahead and block or suspend the platform the way Nigeria has done?

The Nigerian government has indefinitely suspended Twitter, just days after it accused the US micro-blogging platform of double standards and supporting the secessionists.

The government expressed doubts about Twitter's operations in the country, after it deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In India, Twitter is in the eye of storm for not complying to the new IT (intermediary) rules 2021 requires the social media firms to appoint a grievance officer in the country. The company has requested the IT Ministry to consider a minimum of three-month extension in order for the company to implement the new intermediary guidelines.

Amid the ongoing notice-and-letter game with Twitter, the Indian government has now told the micro-blogging platform it is clear from the responses of the company that till date it has not informed about the details of the Chief Compliance Office as required under the Rules.

The IT Ministry also said in its fresh notice that the Resident Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person nominated by the platform are not its employees in India as required under the new rules.

According to experts, although it may be difficult for India to impose a suspension of services on Twitter for indefinite period as done by Nigeria, the company must ensure it has its grievance officers in India and not in the US.