Twitter Seeks More Time to Comply with India's IT Rules

Twitter Expresses Concerns Over Police Visits and New IT Rules in India

Twitter has characterized recent visits by Indian police to its local offices as a form of intimidation. The company voiced its apprehension regarding specific stipulations within New Delhi’s newly implemented IT regulations.

Statement Following Police Visits

This is the first official statement released by Twitter since a specialized unit of the Delhi police conducted unannounced visits to two of its Indian offices on Monday. Twitter conveyed its worry concerning events impacting its personnel in India and the potential implications for freedom of expression among its user base.

The social media platform further stated its alignment with numerous organizations both within India and internationally. These groups share concerns about the utilization of intimidating tactics by law enforcement in the context of enforcing Twitter’s global Terms of Service, as well as fundamental aspects of the new IT Rules.

Advocacy for Regulatory Changes

A Twitter spokesperson declared the company’s intention to advocate for modifications to elements of these regulations that may hinder free and open public discourse. They emphasized a commitment to continued constructive dialogue with the Indian Government.

The spokesperson added that a collaborative approach is essential, and that safeguarding public interests is a shared responsibility among elected officials, the technology industry, and civil society.

Escalating Tensions

For several months, tensions have been escalating between major American tech companies, including Twitter and Facebook, and the Indian government. Twitter previously faced criticism from political figures for its refusal to block accounts offering critiques of New Delhi’s reforms and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Significant Market for Tech Firms

India represents a substantial market for American technology firms, which have invested billions of dollars over the past decade to expand internet access within the South Asian nation. Government estimates indicate that Twitter has approximately 175 million users in India, while WhatsApp boasts over 530 million.

WhatsApp's Legal Challenge

The situation intensified on Wednesday when WhatsApp initiated legal action against the Indian government in a Delhi court. The lawsuit challenges the new IT rules, alleging they compromise user privacy and grant New Delhi the authority for widespread surveillance.

Compliance Deadline and Government Inquiry

India unveiled the new IT rules in February, providing companies with a three-month compliance period. This deadline expired this week, prompting the Ministry of Electronics and IT to request updates from social media firms regarding their compliance status, as initially reported by TechCrunch.

Concerns Regarding the IT Rules

Twitter articulated that the new IT rules’ provisions – specifically, the criminal liability assigned to compliance officers for platform content, proactive content monitoring, and broad authority to request user information – constitute a concerning overreach. The company believes these provisions are incompatible with principles of openness and democracy.

Requests for Extension and Transparency

The microblogging platform has requested that New Delhi consider granting a minimum three-month extension to achieve full compliance with the new IT rules. It also requested the publication of standard operating procedures regarding compliance, developed through public consultation.

Content Withholding and Non-Compliance Notices

Twitter reported recently receiving another noncompliance notice in India and subsequently withholding certain content identified within that notice. This content, Twitter stated, had originally been flagged in blocking orders issued since February 2021.

The company explained that it has been compelled to withhold content in response to noncompliance notices in recent months, as failing to do so carries potential penalties and risks for Twitter employees.

Google's Commitment to Compliance

On Thursday, Google’s chief executive, Sundar Pichai, affirmed the company’s commitment to adhering to the new IT rules. He stated that their local teams are actively engaged and that Google will continue to comply with local laws.

Pichai emphasized the importance of promoting the free flow of information while respecting legislative processes in democratic countries. He added that the company will highlight any compliance requests in its transparency reports.