Don’t over-reach on internet controls Editorial 11th Aug'18 TimesOfIndia

Headline : Don’t over-reach on internet controls Editorial 11th Aug'18 TimesOfIndia 
Details : 
 The menace of fake news:
  • Fake news - the spread of false information, purposely crafted to mislead citizens - has emerged as a deadly menace.
  • It is visible on social media sites and messenger apps (like whatsapp) every day.
  • Recently, fake news regarding child abduction gangs have led to case of lynching at many places in the country.
How to stop it:
Government's dealings with leading platforms:
  • The department of telecommunications in July wrote to telecom companies and industry associations reportedly asking them to explore various possible options and confirm how Instagram/Facebook/WhatsApp/Telegram and such other mobile apps can be blocked on internet.
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issuing a notice on fake news to WhatsApp in July, followed by a second notice after it was left dissatisfied with the response to the first.
  • The IT secretary recently warned multi-national internet giants to “behave in a responsible manner” and called for swift action on “disturbing” content.
Threats to ban platforms?
  • Asking for more “responsibility and accountability” is understandable when platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook are misused by fake news producers.
  • The government is mulling options on how to end dangerous rumour-mongering on WhatsApp or Facebook.
Counter-productive move to ban platforms:
  • However, trying to counter such acts of fake news with the threat of potential shutdowns of the platforms themselves may be totally counter-productive for many reasons:
  1. Social media platforms play an important role:
  • Social media platforms offer many possibilities of connectivity and growth to millions that simply weren’t possible earlier to millions more.
  • For various social movements and protests, social media is the primary medium of mobilisation of our times. As seen during the Arab Spring in the Middle East, social media platforms, by allowing people to communicate with each other, have been crucial enablers of democracy.
  • It offers an avenue for protest and speaking truth to power in new ways that have irrevocably changed traditional social hierarchies.
  • While social media platforms are indeed misused by some, there is even greater risk in government having the powers to shut down an entire media platform on grounds of public order or national security.
  • This is why thinking of turning them off is problematic because of the fear that a future government fearful of political dissent may misuse such powers.
  1. Breakdown in law and order is the cause:
  • The impulse to blame social media or the messenger, in effect, passes the blame and responsibility away from the state.
  • The real issue in cases of public lynching triggered by fake news is of a breakdown in law and order. That is where our focus must be.
  • Law and order is a state subject under the Constitution.
  • In recent months, the central government has issued several security-related advisories. But the implementation by state police forces on the ground hasn't been effective.
  • Better intelligence and rapid responses in policing must be a priority.
  1. Social media platforms must also take measures:
  • Social media platforms must have better flagging mechanisms as well.
  • WhatsApp, for example, now allows its users to see if a message has been forwarded. But, one should also be able to track the originator of a message as well.
  • Twitter recently began a move against fake accounts. Facebook, Google and WhatsApp have started making serious moves against fake news as well.
  • They must do more.
  1. Readers must also be more cautious:
  • In an age of information overload, it is finally up to readers and consumers of social media to be more cautious about what they believe.
  • Creating a culture of looking at the sources and authenticity our news feeds is key in this new mediascape.
  • This is particularly important at a time when a great deal of fake news created is being attributed to political parties themselves or their affiliates.
  1. Targeting the right people:
  • Social media has been blamed for spreading fake news rumours that led to lynching cases. This is like blaming telephone companies if people spread rumours in phone conversations.
  • Rather than blaming the platforms through which information travels, it is far better to pinpoint those who spread the misinformation.
Conclusion:
  • At a time when we are promoting Digital India and the knowledge economy, the top-down impulse to clamp down on entire digital platforms for the misuse of a few, instead of targeting the wrong-doers themselves, is lopsided.
  • It risks taking a brute-force approach to a problem that is far more complex.
Importance:
GS Paper II: Polity & Governance