DNA Edit: Make amends – FB’s policies to curtail content misuse is welcome

The Indian government’s sustained pressure on Facebook has finally paid dividends. Ever since reports about the global social networking site impacting election outcomes in democracies, most notably in the US have become public, the Indian government has been on high alert.  Both publicly and privately, Facebook has been told to make amends and its rules more transparent, particularly those that deal with fake news. Hopefully, Facebook with its latest announcements, intends to keep a handle on those misusing its platform. The networking site has announced steps to increase advertisement transparency and insulate the platform against foreign interference ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

According to the new guidelines, political parties or individuals aspiring to run an advertisement campaign related to politics will need to confirm their identity and location, providing more details about the advertisements placed. In the light of somewhat lax rules regarding spreading fake news, it has become important that people know more about advertisements, particularly those that refer to politicians, political parties and legislation.  It is instructive to note that such steps have already been taken in the US, UK and Brazil to prevent abuse on Facebook. Well, it is a good time to get India into the picture. Mobs attacking unidentified men on the basis of ‘news’ emanating on social media platforms, have compelled the government to issue guidelines for not just Facebook but also, Twitter and Whatsapp. 

Disturbingly, several lynching incidents relating to an individual’s faith, were incited by perpetrators who had deliberately undertaken spread of fake or bogus information. Trouble and violence has erupted in parts of the country over purported atrocities and anti-social elements have had a field day. The government has repeatedly asked social media behemoths to exercise self-censorship of objectionable content using artificial intelligence to detect and censor obscene graphics and videos. As per new rules, Indian advertisers will have to comply with the new regulations immediately. While Facebook has pointed out that identity and location confirmation will take a few weeks, advertisers have been told to initiate the process by using their mobile phones and computers to submit proof of identity and location.  

As part of the package, by early next year, Facebook will put a disclaimer on all political advertisements with information about who placed it, as well as provide an online searchable ‘ad library.’ By doing so, Facebook reckons it will be better placed to take on ‘foreign’ interference.  The issue has become particularly sensitive in the light of assertions in the US that there was actually a Russian hand in the country’s general elections held in 2016 that swept Donald Trump into office. Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, on a visit to India last month, also discussed content regulation and other mechanism surrounding censorship. Democracies have to keep a wary eye on transgressors.