Twitter acts after Centre's warning; deletes 97% of accounts, posts flagged by IT Ministry

Amid tussle with Indian government, Twitter has blocked over 97% of accounts and posts flagged by IT Ministry for provocative content and misinformation around farmers' protest, news ncy PTI quoting its sources said on Friday.

development comes following a meeting between Twitter representatives and Information Techlogy Secretary on Wednesday evening where US-based microblogging platform was issued a stern warning to comply with local laws or be prepared for action.

Twitter blocks 97% of accounts

Ministry h questioned Twitter's delay in taking action on its order to block provocative content that could impact public law and order, whereas American company h been quick to crack down when a similar instance occurred at US Capitol Hill. According to sources, Twitter has w complied with orders and over 97% of accounts flagged have been blocked. Twitter did t respond to queries on matter.

On February 4, Twitter was asked to take down 1,178 accounts with links to Pakistan and Khalistan supporters that were spreing misinformation and provocative content related to farmers' protest. Prior to that, government h sought blocking of 257 tweets and handles in connection with agitation by farmers over new agricultural laws. Twitter h complied with orders only to restore accounts hours later.

Twitter on Wednesday morning h said it has suspended over 500 accounts and blocked access to several ors within India but maintained that it would t block accounts of "news media entities, journalists, activists and politicians" as doing so "would violate ir fundamental right to free expression" guaranteed under country's law. It, however, yielded to orders later after crucial meeting on Wednesday evening.

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Pras, in Rajya Sabha, emphasised that government is all for freedom of speech and expression and that it remains investor-friendly, but disrespecting democratic values is t acceptable.

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Centre, Twitter India get SC tice

Meanwhile, Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from Centre and Twitter India on a plea seeking a mechanism for regulating content and vertisements spreing hatred through fake news and instigative messs via bogus accounts. 

A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian issued tice to Centre and Twitter Communication India Pvt Ltd on plea filed by one Vinit Goenka, which said re are hundreds of fake Twitter handles and bogus Facebook accounts in name of eminent people and high dignitaries.  

vocate Ashwini Dubey, appearing for Goenka, said directions are needed for establishing a mechanism to regulate hateful content on social networking site.  bench said that it is issuing tice in matter and tagging plea with or pending matters.

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(With PTI inputs)