Govt gives 'one last notice' to Twitter for compliance with new IT rules

Twitter has been given a final chance to appoint India-based officers in compliance with new rules for social media companies in the country. In a letter from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Saturday, Twitter was told it will have to face 'consequences' as per the IT Act if it failed to comply with the rules.

"Twitter Inc. is hereby given one last notice to immediately comply with the Rules, failing which the exemption from liability available under section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 shall stand withdrawn and Twitter shall be liable for consequences as per the IT Act and other penal laws of India," the government said.

"New Intermediary Guideline Rules have become effective from May 26. After the expiry of three-month period given to social media intermediaries for compliance, Twitter is yet to appoint India-based Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person and Grievance Officer," ANI quoted govt sources as saying.

This move also comes after the blue-tick verification badge was removed from the personal Twitter account of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu following a long period of inactivity. It was hastily restored by the social media platform on Saturday morning.  The removal of the blue tick came amid a standoff between Twitter and the government over multiple issues, including freedom of expression and the new IT rules.  

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