Social Media giant Facebook’s Senior official on Wednesday, appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which was headed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur and responded to the issues raised by the lawmakers over the possible misuse of social media to influence elections.
The 31-member panel had met to listen to the views of the representatives of Facebook and its affiliates WhatsApp and Instagram on ‘safeguarding citizens rights on social/online news media platforms’.
The panel expressed its concern on social media giant Facebook’s ability to prevent misuse of its platform during elections in India, sources said.
Anurag Thakur, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee ensured that they Social media platforms are not be used to create division in society, incite violence, pose threat to India’s security or let foreign powers meddle in Indian elections.
Anurag Thakur, Chairman, Parliamentary IT Committee: They accepted there is a need for corrective measures & that they're ready for them. They have said they will be in touch with the Election Commission & work on the information provided by the concerned ministries. https://t.co/pjDkGT5WXq
— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2019
As sources said, the social media giant Facebook gave a commitment to the panel that identity, location and who paid for advertisements during elections will be available on a special web page for users.
However, it failed to answer about the regulatory framework applicable to their content, advertising and marketing operations in India. Facebook told that it was a ‘hybrid’ company, as sources said.
Facebook admitted to the fact that it doesn’t “always get it right” regarding content moderation on its platform, sources said.
In the context of insensitive tweets and comments, it is said by the sources that Joel Kaplan, VP – Global Public Policy, Facebook, sought apology for remarks made by Facebook employees especially on terrorism and recent Pulwama attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, members of the Committee also expressed that they are unconvinced that Facebook and its employees are behaving neutrally, sources said.