SOURCE: AFI
In a significant move, the Indian Army has been granted the authority to directly issue takedown notices to social media platforms. The Ministry of Defence has appointed the Additional Director General (ADG) of Strategic Communication as the nodal officer for this purpose. This empowers the Army to independently identify and address illegal content related to itself and its components under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act.
Previously, the Army had to rely on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to initiate actions against unlawful content. This new development streamlines the process and enables the Army to respond more swiftly to online misinformation and defamation.
The appointment of a dedicated nodal officer underscores the increasing importance of social media in shaping public opinion and the need for proactive measures to counter negative narratives. By directly engaging with social media platforms, the Army aims to maintain its reputation and protect its interests in the digital age.
This development signifies a significant shift in the Indian Army’s approach to online content management. It allows for quicker and more direct action against misinformation and harmful content.