Twitter says 'committed to transparency' on geotagging issue, Centre calls it 'inadequate'

Representatives of Microblogging platform Twitter on Wednesday appeared in front of  joint committee of Parliament on Data Protection Bill, 2019, in connection with case of wrong geotagging of Ladakh as a territory of China. microblogging platform said company remains committed to openness and transparency. It also said it will stay in regular touch with government to share timely updates.

However, while speaking with PTI, chairperson of Committee Meenakshi Lekhi said that Twitter's explanation over issue was inadequate and act amounts to criminal offence attracting imprisonment of seven years. 

In an email statement quoted by PTI, Twitter said its teams resolved geotagging issue swiftly. " recent geotagging issue was swiftly resolved by our teams. We are committed to openness, transparency around our work and will remain in regular touch with government to share timely updates," Twitter spokesperson said.

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Twitter displays J&K as part of China

On October 18, Twitter came under fire again for displaying Jammu-Kashmir's Leh as a part of 'People's Republic of China'. National Security Analyst Nitin Gokhale who was live on Twitter near Leh airport, ticed that his location was displaying as 'Jammu and Kashmir, People's Republic of China'. This amaly was raised by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) chairman Kanchan Gupta to Twitter India, stating that it was t an 'isolated incident', but that several netizens who were logging online faced same issue.

Taking to Twitter, Gokhale had narrated, "This morning, I was live on Twitter along with Rohit Pandita to apprise people of my journey to Ladakh from Himachal Pradesh via a new road. After we finished our broadcast, to our horror, we found that location we had put of our location of War Memorial, Hall of Fame - a famous landmark in Leh came as Jammu and Kashmir, People's Republic of China. I apprised Twitter by tagging m, expecting m to take action, but except for anger from people of India, thing happened."

He added, "We tried again by doing an experimental live with a different broadcast, but again same results came up. Even w if you go live in areas near Leh airport, Leh's Hall of fame, it shows as 'J&K, People's Republic of China'. I do t kw why this is happening, but it is my duty to inform you about it."

Twitter's spokesperson n issued a statement on same saying that y were aware of sensitivities around issue of Kashmir. statement also stated that teams are investigating to resolve concerned geo-tagging issue. "We became aware of this technical issue on Sunday, & understand & respect sensitivities around it. Teams have worked swiftly to investigate & resolve concerned geotag issue." On October 22, Centre had written to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey warning company and taking strong objection to  over misrepresentation of map of India.

READ | Parliament Panel Pulls Up Twitter On Ladakh Blunder; Seeks Explanation On Geo-Tagging

(with inputs from PTI)