Habitual non-compliant: Centre opposes Twitter plea against blocking orders

Through its statement of objections filed before the court, the government said that Twitter complied with the blocking orders only after reminders and show-cause notices. 

Twitter is a habitual non-compliant platform, the Centre said, opposing the micro-blogging site’s plea before Karnataka High Court against the government’s takedown and blocking orders.

Through its statement of objections filed before the court, the government said that Twitter complied with the blocking orders only after reminders and show-cause notices.

Unfortunately, while Twitter is keen to protect its business interests, it is non-compliant with laws, the Centre said, stressing that platforms should not be allowed to decide whether content will cause a national security and public order issue or not.

It has been argued that when a public order issue arises, it is the government that is responsible for taking action and not the platform.

According to the government, it is important to detect and block misinformation and fake news at the initial stage to prevent a public order catastrophe in the country.

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Hate speeches targeting specific communities can affect a country like India, where diversity of culture and faith prevails, the Centre said. Hence, when the government directs expeditious removal or blocking of content under the law, Twitter is expected to follow the same, it added.