Turkey approves new law to take control over social media platforms Facebook, Twitter
4 years, 5 months ago

Turkey approves new law to take control over social media platforms Facebook, Twitter

India Today  

Turkey’s parliament approved a law early Wednesday that gives authorities greater power to regulate social media despite concerns of growing censorship. The law requires major social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to keep representative offices in Turkey to deal with complaints against content on their platforms. Most alarmingly, the new legislation also would require social media providers to store user data in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded the law, vowing to “control social media platforms” and eradicate immorality.

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History of this topic

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s

Live Mint  

Australia is set to become the first country to ban social media use by under-16s after the country’s Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of strict new legislation. “Social media is doing harm to our children and I’m calling time on it," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said when the bill was introduced to Parliament earlier this month. The legislation marks …

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: Vaishnaw
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: Vaishnaw

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: The government is mulling stringent laws to check vulgar content on social media posts and other platforms like over-the-top or OTT, saying that such platforms are required to appoint grievance officers and set up a mechanism for addressing user complaints. "There is a need to make existing laws more stringent laws to curb vulgar content on social media …

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s
Top News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s

Al Jazeera  

The House of Representatives votes overwhelmingly to pass legislation targeting platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Australia’s lower house of parliament has voted overwhelmingly to pass a landmark bill banning the use of social media by children under 16. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan said the government had agreed to amendments made in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections for …

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: I&B Minister Vaishnaw
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: I&B Minister Vaishnaw

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said there is a need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media platforms. Today, social media is a platform for freedom of press but it is uncontrolled and there is vulgar content, the minister said during the Question Hour. There is a need to make existing …

Australia: Ahead Of Polls Next Year, Anthony Albanese And Peter Dutton Push For Social Media Ban For Kids
4 months ago

Australia: Ahead Of Polls Next Year, Anthony Albanese And Peter Dutton Push For Social Media Ban For Kids

ABP News  

The Australian government led by PM Anthony Albanese plans to introduce a new legislation aimed at prohibiting children from using social media platforms, citing concerns over their physical and mental well-being. The draft legislation would compel social media companies to implement technological safeguards to prevent children within the restricted age group from accessing their platforms. We will collaborate closely with …

Turkey suddenly reinstates access to Instagram after more than a week
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Turkey suddenly reinstates access to Instagram after more than a week

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “In our talks with Instagram officials, …

As Instagram remains blocked in Turkey, Erdogan accuses social media companies of ‘digital fascism’
5 months ago

As Instagram remains blocked in Turkey, Erdogan accuses social media companies of ‘digital fascism’

Associated Press  

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused social media platforms of “digital fascism” on Monday for allegedly censoring photographs of Palestinian “martyrs.” The Turkish leader’s comments came as Turkish officials were engaged in discussions with representatives of the social media platform, Instagram, to reinstate access to millions of its users in Turkey. Several media reports said however, that …

Turkey blocks access to Instagram. It’s in response to removal of posts on Hamas chief, reports say
5 months, 1 week ago

Turkey blocks access to Instagram. It’s in response to removal of posts on Hamas chief, reports say

Associated Press  

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s communications authority blocked access to the social media platform Instagram on Friday, the latest instance of a clampdown on websites in the country. Uraloglu’s deputy, Omer Fatih Sayan, wrote on X: “We will do what is needed to establish a social media that respects our values, is free of disinformation, and is cleaner and more secure.” …

US activists worry about ‘losing major asset’ TikTok as potential ban looms
7 months, 1 week ago

US activists worry about ‘losing major asset’ TikTok as potential ban looms

Al Jazeera  

Recent decisions by US gov’t and platforms have made organising on TikTok and Instagram much harder for activists. For the last two years, he’s used TikTok and Instagram as a means to spread the word about climate marches and real-life ways people can get involved and fight to take on climate change. Limits on Meta and X The US government’s …

Here’s why a SCOTUS ruling on social media rules matters to so many people
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Here’s why a SCOTUS ruling on social media rules matters to so many people

CNN  

These are just some of the widely used online platforms that US Supreme Court justices said this week could be massively disrupted by a pair of Texas and Florida laws that are purportedly aimed at social media, but that could have vast unintended consequences for the rest of the digital economy. But in scrutinizing the laws’ scope and First Amendment …

Nepal bans TikTok saying it is ‘disrupting social harmony’
1 year, 1 month ago

Nepal bans TikTok saying it is ‘disrupting social harmony’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nepal has become the latest …

Nepal to ban TikTok as it ‘disturbs social harmony’
1 year, 1 month ago

Nepal to ban TikTok as it ‘disturbs social harmony’

Al Jazeera  

Authorities cite the popular Chinese video-sharing platform’s negative effects and ask internet service providers to close the app. Nepal says it will ban TikTok, adding that social harmony and goodwill are being disturbed by “misuse” of the popular video-sharing app and that there is rising demand to control it. Nepal’s Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said the …

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution
1 year, 3 months ago

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution

The Hindu  

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. The justices had already agreed to decide whether public officials can block critics from commenting on their social media accounts, an issue that previously came up in a case involving then-President Donald Trump. Separately, …

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution
1 year, 3 months ago

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. The justices had already agreed to decide whether public officials can block critics from commenting on their social media accounts, an issue that previously came up in a case involving then-President Donald Trump. …

Australian Senate committee recommends government ban on TikTok be extended to WeChat
1 year, 5 months ago

Australian Senate committee recommends government ban on TikTok be extended to WeChat

The Hindu  

An Australian Senate committee has recommended a ban on the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok from federal government devices be extended to China's most popular social media platform, WeChat. “It tackles both the problems posed by authoritarian-headquartered social media platforms like TikTok and WeChat and Western-headquartered social media platforms being weaponised by the actions of authoritarian governments including Facebook, YouTube and …

Australian Senate committee recommends government ban on TikTok be extended to WeChat
1 year, 5 months ago

Australian Senate committee recommends government ban on TikTok be extended to WeChat

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — An Australian Senate committee has recommended a ban on the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok from federal government devices be extended to China’s most popular social media platform, WeChat. “It tackles both the problems posed by authoritarian-headquartered social media platforms like TikTok and WeChat and Western-headquartered social media platforms being weaponized by the actions of authoritarian governments including …

Turkey elections: Why Twitter’s decision to block content matters.
55 years ago

Turkey elections: Why Twitter’s decision to block content matters.

Slate  

Late Saturday night, when I saw the tweet from Twitter’s Global Affairs account announcing it had complied with a government request to restrict access to content in Turkey on the eve of our country’s presidential elections, I felt a deep sense of Here we go again. I’m pretty familiar with the government’s attempt to limit Twitter accounts and tweets for …

Twitter Confirms Censorship Of Content To Remain Operational During Turkey Elections
1 year, 7 months ago

Twitter Confirms Censorship Of Content To Remain Operational During Turkey Elections

ABP News  

Twitter has officially acknowledged that it implemented content restrictions in Turkey ahead of the country's recent presidential election. It stated, "In order to comply with legal procedures and ensure that Twitter remains accessible to the people of Turkey, we have taken steps to limit access to certain content within Turkey today." We were in negotiation with the Turkish Government throughout …

Turkey Election | Twitter censors content ahead of presidential election
1 year, 7 months ago

Turkey Election | Twitter censors content ahead of presidential election

The Hindu  

Twitter has confirmed that it censored content in Turkey ahead of the country’s presidential election. The verified Twitter Global Government Affairs account said, “In response to legal process and to ensure Twitter remains available to the people of Turkey, we have taken action to restrict access to some content in Turkey today.” The account said that the rest of the …

Musk says Turkey to re-enable full Twitter access 'shortly'
1 year, 11 months ago

Musk says Turkey to re-enable full Twitter access 'shortly'

The Hindu  

Twitter Chief Executive Elon Musk said in a tweet on Wednesday that the company had been informed by the government of Turkey that full access to the social media platform in the country will be re-enabled "shortly". The Netblocks internet observatory, which tracks connectivity across the globe, said earlier on Wednesday that Twitter access had been restricted two days after …

Caged no more? Update from Elon Musk on Twitter access in Turkey
1 year, 11 months ago

Caged no more? Update from Elon Musk on Twitter access in Turkey

Hindustan Times  

Twitter CEO Elon Musk in a tweet said Twitter has been informed by Turkey's government that access will be re-enabled shortly to the social media platform. Twitter has been restricted in Turkey, the Netblocks internet observatory earlier said, just two days after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that has killed more than 11,500 people in southern Turkey and northern Syria. On the …

New IT rules to put more obligations on social media platforms to act against unlawful content, misinformation: Rajeev Chandrasekhar
2 years, 2 months ago

New IT rules to put more obligations on social media platforms to act against unlawful content, misinformation: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

The Hindu  

IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on October 29 said the latest amendment of IT rules will put more definite due diligence obligations on social media companies to make efforts that no unlawful content or misinformation is posted on their platforms. The government on October 28 notified rules under which it will set up appellate panels to redress grievances that users may …

Turkish competition board fines Meta Platforms $18.6 million
2 years, 2 months ago

Turkish competition board fines Meta Platforms $18.6 million

The Hindu  

Turkey's competition authority has fined Facebook-parent Meta Platforms Inc. 346.72 million lira for breaking competition law, it said on Wednesday. The company held a dominant position in personal social networking services and online video advertising markets and obstructed competitors by merging data collected through its core services Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, the Turkish authority said in a statement. Turkey's competition …

Turkish parliament OKs disputed bill to fight disinformation
2 years, 2 months ago

Turkish parliament OKs disputed bill to fight disinformation

Associated Press  

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s parliament passed a contentious bill Thursday that amends press and social media laws with the stated aim of combatting fake news and disinformation. Amnesty International said after the vote that it was “yet another dark day for online freedom of expression and press freedom in Turkey.” “These new measures enable to further censor and silence critical …

Court rules in favor of Texas law on social media regulation
2 years, 3 months ago

Court rules in favor of Texas law on social media regulation

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal appeals court Friday ruled in favor of a Texas law targeting major social media companies like Facebook and Twitter in a victory for Republicans who accuse the platforms of censoring conservative speech. “We remain convinced that when the U.S. Supreme Court hears one of our cases, it will uphold the First Amendment rights of websites, …

Government to bring legal changes, regulations needed for greater social media accountability: Ashwini Vaishnaw
2 years, 6 months ago

Government to bring legal changes, regulations needed for greater social media accountability: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Hindu  

Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said there is a clear consensus in the country on making social media platforms more accountable, and assured that the government will bring legal changes and regulations needed to do so. Within media groups, the self-regulation needed.self regulation will be done.but whereever needed, we will take all steps to make social media more …

Texas asks Supreme Court to keep state social media censorship law in effect
2 years, 7 months ago

Texas asks Supreme Court to keep state social media censorship law in effect

CNN  

Washington CNN Business — The Supreme Court should allow a sweeping Texas law to remain in effect that restricts the ability of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to moderate their platforms, according to the state’s attorney general. In a filing to the Court on Wednesday, Texas argued that its law, HB 20, which prohibits large social media firms from blocking, banning …

Twitter files lawsuit against German online reporting rule
2 years, 11 months ago

Twitter files lawsuit against German online reporting rule

The Hindu  

Twitter has taken legal action against a rule, coming into force in Germany from Tuesday, that obliges social media firms to block or delete criminal content quickly and report particularly serious criminal offences to the police, a German court confirmed on Monday. The lawsuit filed at the administrative court in Cologne challenges a provision under Germany's expanded anti-hate speech regulations …

Facebook Banned Trump 1 Year Ago. Social Media Hasn't Gotten Much Better.
3 years ago

Facebook Banned Trump 1 Year Ago. Social Media Hasn't Gotten Much Better.

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING So: Have they? Facebook “remains an extremist breeding ground,” offering militia groups unparalleled ability to spread anti-government propaganda, recruit new members and even run ads, according to a report by the Tech Transparency Project released last week. “The prevalence of these groups is startlingly similar to what we found a year ago.” In a separate study focused …

Haugen urges lawmakers to avert impasse on social media laws
3 years, 1 month ago

Haugen urges lawmakers to avert impasse on social media laws

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Ex-Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen implored lawmakers Wednesday to avert the usual congressional stalemates as they weigh proposals to curb abuses on social media platforms by limiting the companies’ free-speech protections against legal liability. Enacted when many of the most powerful social media companies didn’t even exist, the law allowed companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google to …

Facebook, Google, Twitter face grilling by U.K. lawmakers
3 years, 2 months ago

Facebook, Google, Twitter face grilling by U.K. lawmakers

The Hindu  

British lawmakers are set to grill Facebook and other tech giants Thursday over how they handle online safety as European efforts to regulate social media companies gain momentum. They provided little firm commitment for U.S. legislation bolstering protection of children from online harm, which lawmakers say ranges from eating disorders, sexually explicit content and material promoting addictive drugs. Facebook whistleblower …

Facebook, Google, Twitter face grilling by UK lawmakers
3 years, 2 months ago

Facebook, Google, Twitter face grilling by UK lawmakers

India TV News  

British lawmakers are set to grill Facebook and other tech giants Thursday over how they handle online safety as European efforts to regulate social media companies gain momentum. Representatives from Facebook, Google, Twitter, and TikTok will be questioned by members of a parliamentary committee scrutinizing the British government’s draft online safety legislation. Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen appeared before the U.K. …

Iranians fear new bill will restrict internet even further
3 years, 5 months ago

Iranians fear new bill will restrict internet even further

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — For Ali Hedieloo, a 40-year-old making wooden furniture in Iran’s capital, Instagram is more than just a surfeit of glossy images. Iran moved last week toward further government restrictions on Instagram and other apps, as hard-line lawmakers agreed to discuss a bill that many fear will undermine communication, wipe out livelihoods and open the door to the …

Concern mounts about possible Turkish law on media funding
3 years, 5 months ago

Concern mounts about possible Turkish law on media funding

Associated Press  

ISTANBUL — Press freedom groups expressed concern Friday about comments by Turkish officials about possible legislation to regulate foreign funding for media and the dissemination of fake news, saying it could further curtail independent journalism in Turkey. Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said foreign media funding merits scrutiny when it comes from countries that “openly express their intentions and efforts …

India internet law adds to fears over online speech, privacy
3 years, 5 months ago

India internet law adds to fears over online speech, privacy

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — It began in February with a tweet by pop star Rihanna that sparked widespread condemnation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of massive farmer protests near the capital, souring an already troubled relationship between the government and Twitter. “India’s plans for the internet appear to be like that of a closed ecosystem like China,” said Raheel …

India’s internet law adds to fears over online speech, privacy
3 years, 5 months ago

India’s internet law adds to fears over online speech, privacy

Al Jazeera  

Law puts digital platforms such as Twitter and Facebook under direct government oversight, but critics worry it may lead to outright censorship. ‘Closed ecosystem like China’ “India’s plans for the internet appear to be like that of a closed ecosystem like China,” said Raheel Khursheed, co-founder of Laminar Global and Twitter India’s former head of politics, policy and government. “Twitter’s …

India says Twitter knowingly not complying with local laws
3 years, 6 months ago

India says Twitter knowingly not complying with local laws

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — The standoff between the Indian government and Twitter escalated Wednesday when the country’s technology minister accused the social media giant of deliberately not complying with local laws. Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Twitter has chosen “the path of deliberate defiance” when it comes to following new internet regulations that digital activists have said could curtail online …

The case for social media to be closely regulated is clear
3 years, 7 months ago

The case for social media to be closely regulated is clear

Live Mint  

Are social media firms exceeding their limits? Barring China, where major American social media outlets are banned, pretty much the entire world is caught in a moment of great introspection about the conduct of these all-pervasive companies. After the hotly-contested decision by Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to suspend the then US president Donald Trump’s accounts in January 2021 on grounds …

New IT rules only to tackle misuse of social media, give users redressal mechanism, says Ravi Shankar Prasad
3 years, 7 months ago

New IT rules only to tackle misuse of social media, give users redressal mechanism, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

The Hindu  

Amid Twitter and WhatsApp pushing back against the government’s new rules for social media platforms, IT and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the rules only benefit the over 100 crore users of such platforms by giving them a means to address their grievances. Rules give redressal mechanism to users, says Prasad With Twitter and WhatsApp up in arms against …

Twitter only significant social media platform yet to follow intermediary rules
3 years, 7 months ago

Twitter only significant social media platform yet to follow intermediary rules

Op India  

Ministry sources have informed that Twitter is the only significant social media platform that is yet to abide by the Information Technology Rules, 2021. Sources within the Ministry informed, “Most of the major social media intermediaries have shared the details of their Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person and Grievance Officer with Ministry of Electronics and IT, as required by …

Russia’s Failure to Throttle Twitter Isn’t a Sign of Weakness
3 years, 9 months ago

Russia’s Failure to Throttle Twitter Isn’t a Sign of Weakness

Wired  

As thousands of Russian citizens in over a hundred cities mobilized in support of opposition leader Alexey Navalny, and to protest pervasive corruption—facing arrest and police brutality—the verdict from the Kremlin was clear: Internet companies must assist the government’s crackdown. Back in January, days before protests even began, Roskomnadzor, Russia’s internet and media regulator, fired off orders to TikTok, YouTube, …

Russia slows Twitter’s speed over failure to remove banned content
3 years, 10 months ago

Russia slows Twitter’s speed over failure to remove banned content

The Hindu  

Russia's state communications watchdog said on Wednesday it was restricting the use of Twitter by slowing down its speed, accusing the social media platform of repeatedly failing to remove banned content from its site. Twitter, like other U.S. social media, is used widely inside Russia by allies of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny whose jailing last month prompted nationwide protests. Wednesday's …

The Hindu Explains | Why has the government announced new guidelines to regulate digital content?
3 years, 10 months ago

The Hindu Explains | Why has the government announced new guidelines to regulate digital content?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On Thursday, in a long-anticipated move, the government notified guidelines that seek to provide a grievance redressal mechanism for users of digital platforms of all kinds — social media sites, messaging apps, over-the-top streaming services, and digital news publishers. The Information Technology Rules, 2021 also mandate that social media and messaging platforms will have to adhere …

New IT Act guidelines remove the safety net for platforms like Twitter
3 years, 10 months ago

New IT Act guidelines remove the safety net for platforms like Twitter

Op India  

Government of India today released the guidelines for regulating social media and OTT platforms in the country. The guidelines spell various responsibilities for the social media platforms and OTT content hosts, with additional responsibilities for major social media sites. One of the most significant provision of these guidelines is that if the social media platforms don’t comply with the provisions …

Grievance mechanism, speedy redressal: Govt lays down rules for social media, OTT platforms
3 years, 10 months ago

Grievance mechanism, speedy redressal: Govt lays down rules for social media, OTT platforms

India Today  

The government on Thursday released new rules to regulate social media, online streaming and digital content platforms, and warned that "double standards of social media will not be acceptable". Highlighting the misuse of social media in the country, Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government wants social media platforms operating in the country to introduce a mechanism for better verification …

BJP MP Surya explains why control over social media is needed?
3 years, 10 months ago

BJP MP Surya explains why control over social media is needed?

India TV News  

Amid the row over banning many social accounts for not following the government's guidelines after they were found instigating the peasants' movement, the Bharatiya Janata Party has raised the demand to control social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Following the latest episode, his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 3 last year made headlines, stating that …

EU urges US to draft joint rule book to rein in tech giants
3 years, 11 months ago

EU urges US to draft joint rule book to rein in tech giants

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union called Tuesday on U.S. President Joe Biden to help draw up a common rule book to rein in the power of big tech companies like Facebook and Twitter and combat the spread of fake news that is eating away at Western democracies. Von der Leyen said the EU wants the onus put on the tech …

Turkey imposes advertising ban on Twitter, Periscope, Pinterest
3 years, 11 months ago

Turkey imposes advertising ban on Twitter, Periscope, Pinterest

Hindustan Times  

Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority has imposed advertising bans on Twitter, Periscope and Pinterest under a new social media law, according to decisions published in the country's Official Gazette on Tuesday. The law, which critics say will muzzle dissent, requires social media companies to appoint local representatives in Turkey. Twitter, its live-streaming app Periscope, and image sharing app Pinterest …

Turkey slaps advertising ban on Twitter with new social media law
3 years, 11 months ago

Turkey slaps advertising ban on Twitter with new social media law

Al Jazeera  

Under new law, social media companies that do not appoint local representatives will face a series of penalties. Turkey has hit Twitter, Pinterest and Periscope with advertising bans after they failed to follow Facebook and appoint a local representative to take down contentious posts under a new media law published on Tuesday. Milena Buyum, Amnesty International’s Turkey campaigner, said on …

Parliamentary panel to summon Facebook, Twitter over privacy and policy concerns
3 years, 11 months ago

Parliamentary panel to summon Facebook, Twitter over privacy and policy concerns

Op India  

The Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will summon social media giants Facebook and Twitter over data sharing of users, alleged political interference and the changes in their privacy policy. As per reports, the standing committee has decided to summon social media giants Facebook and Twitter t explain their conduct in the recent days, in …

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