A government committee has stated that the India heads of global social media companies and IT companies could face charges for spreading of fake news and other 'sinister' campaigns. Fake news articles, usually shared on WhatsApp groups or Facebook, have recently led to several incidents of riots and lynching across India.
The statement was made by members of an inter-ministerial committee headed by home secretary Rajiv Gauba. The report was submitted to Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The minister heads the Group of Ministers (GoM) whose aim is to look into the matter and stop the spreading of fake news the violence it leads to.
Times of India reports that members of the committee feel that leaders of social media companies and messaging apps like WhatsApp will have to take a closer look at the way their products are used.
Recently, WhatsApp rejected the Indian government's request to trace the origin of the news on its app. The heads of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Google have assured the Indian government that they will look into the matter but according to reports, haven't come up with a strategy yet.
The committee members feel that the India leaders of these companies should take responsibility for the lynching and riots which take place due to fake news and face charges.
The Times of India reports that a few weeks ago, Justice B N Srikrishna said in a draft bill that director and managers of social media companies should be jailed up to five years if they are found knowingly or recklessly engaging in activities such as identity theft and processing of sensitive information.
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