**Policy Summary: Crime on Social Media Platforms in India**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a question raised in Lok Sabha regarding the increase in crime on social media platforms. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting addresses concerns about the proliferation of hatred and fake news.
The government's primary response is the notification of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000, effective February 25, 2021. These rules establish a Code of Ethics for publishers of news and current affairs, mandating adherence to the Programme Code outlined in the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995, and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct as defined by the Press Council Act, 1978. A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism is in place to ensure compliance with the Code of Ethics. The rules prohibit the dissemination of inaccurate, misleading, false, or half-true content.
Furthermore, Part II of the IT Rules, overseen by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), places obligations on intermediaries like YouTube and Facebook to prevent the spread of patently false, untrue, or misleading information.
Data concerning the number of cases registered against individuals and institutions for spreading hatred and fake news is available on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) website: https://www.ncrb.gov.in. The conviction rate in these cases is not specified in this response but may be available from the NCRB.
Key Entities Referenced
L. MURUGAN: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs.
SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021: A set of rules notified by the Government of India to regulate social media platforms and digital media ethics.
Information Technology Act, 2000: An Act of the Indian Parliament dealing with information technology, cybercrime, and data security.
Cable Television Networks Act, 1995: An Act related to the regulation of cable television networks in India, including a Programme Code.
Press Council Act, 1978: An act establishing the Press Council of India and defining Norms of Journalistic Conduct.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): The Indian government ministry responsible for electronics and information technology policy.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): An Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 611
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)
CRIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
611. SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased
to state:
(a) whether the crime on Social Media Platforms have increased
manifold in the last few years;
(b) if so, the number of cases that have been registered against
persons and institutions for spreading hatred and fake news during
the last five years; and
(c) the details of the conviction rate in this regard?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (c): The Government has notified the Information Technology
(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules,
2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000, (dated 25th
February, 2021).
Part-III of these Rules inter alia provides for Code of Ethics to be
followed by publishers of news & current affairs. It includes
adherence to the Programme Code laid down under the Cable
Television Networks Act, 1995, and the Norms of Journalistic
Conduct under the Press Council Act, 1978.
A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for adherence to the
Code of Ethics is also provided under the IT Rules.
The Programme Code and Norms of Journalistic Conduct, inter alia,
require publishers not to disseminate content that is inaccurate,
misleading, false, or half-truths.
Also, Part II of the IT Rules, administered by the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), inter alia, casts an
obligation on intermediaries like YouTube and Facebook to prevent
the dissemination of information that is patently false, untrue, or
misleading in nature.
The data related to the number of cases registered against
individuals and institutions for spreading hatred and fake news can
be accessed on the website of the National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB) at https://www.ncrb.gov.in/.
*****