Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday said major social media platforms such as Google, Facebook and Instagram publishing their first compliance report on voluntary removal of offensive posts is a "big step towards transparency".
Under the new IT rules, digital platforms with over five million users have to submit compliance reports every month, mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken.
"Nice to see significant social media platforms like Google, Facebook and Instagram following the new IT Rules. First compliance report on voluntary removal of offensive posts published by them as per IT Rules is a big step towards transparency," Prasad tweeted.
On Friday, Facebook said it took action on over 30 million content pieces across 10 violation categories between May 15 and June 15 in the country.
These related to spam (25 million posts), violent and graphic content (2.5 million), adult nudity and sexual activity (1.8 million) and hate speech (3.11 lakh).
It also took action on bullying and harassment (1.18 lakh), suicide and self-injury (5.89 lakh), dangerous organisations and individuals: terrorist propaganda (1.06 lakh) and dangerous organisations and individuals: organised hate (75,000).
Instagram also took action against about two million pieces across nine categories during the same period.
In its report, Google said 27,762 complaints were received by Google and YouTube in April this year from individual users over alleged violation of local laws or personal rights, which resulted in the removal of 59,350 pieces of content.
Published 03 July 2021, 10:00 IST
