Social Media Platforms Must Counter Misinformation, Minister States

In a forceful address at Bloomberg’s ‘New Economy Forum’ in Singapore, India’s Minister for Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw issued a stern warning to social media companies, declaring they cannot remain passive bystanders when digital misinformation threatens societal foundations.

Speaking to an audience of global business and technology leaders, Vaishnaw emphasized that platforms operating in India must align with the country’s constitutional values, legal framework, and diverse social fabric. His comments come at a time when governments worldwide are grappling with the outsized influence of tech giants and their role in shaping public discourse.

“Trust between citizens and institutions is the foundation of any society, and digital distortions are weakening that trust,” Vaishnaw cautioned. He specifically highlighted the growing dangers of deepfakes, synthetic content, and viral misinformation that can rapidly undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.

The minister’s remarks reflect India’s evolving approach to digital governance as the country of 1.4 billion continues its rapid technological transformation. With over 800 million internet users, India represents one of the largest digital markets globally, making its regulatory stance particularly significant for international technology companies.

Vaishnaw outlined what he described as India’s “techno-legal approach” to digital governance, which combines regulatory accountability, user protection measures, and technological solutions. This framework aims to balance innovation with responsibility in a country experiencing explosive digital growth.

The comments come against a backdrop of increasing global scrutiny of social media platforms. In recent years, India has implemented stricter rules for digital intermediaries, requiring greater transparency and more robust content moderation practices. The country’s Information Technology Rules, amended in 2021, mandate platforms to establish clear grievance redressal mechanisms and improve their responsiveness to government directives regarding harmful content.

Digital policy experts note that India’s position reflects a global trend toward holding platforms more accountable for content moderation decisions. Similar debates are unfolding in the European Union with its Digital Services Act, and in the United States, where Congress has held numerous hearings on platform accountability.

The minister’s focus on deepfakes is particularly timely as artificial intelligence tools make it increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine and fabricated content. Recent incidents involving manipulated videos of politicians and celebrities have raised alarms about the potential for such technology to disrupt electoral processes and public trust.

Industry observers point out that social media companies face complex challenges in addressing these concerns. Platforms must balance free expression with safety considerations while operating across diverse legal jurisdictions with varying standards for acceptable content. Many companies have invested heavily in AI-powered content moderation systems, though critics argue these efforts remain insufficient.

For multinational tech companies, Vaishnaw’s message underscores the importance of understanding local contexts rather than applying one-size-fits-all global policies. “Platforms must understand and respond responsibly to the societal context and sensitivities of the country in which they operate,” he stated, suggesting that cultural nuance should inform content moderation approaches.

As India continues to develop its digital economy—now valued at over $200 billion and growing rapidly—the government’s stance on platform responsibility will have significant implications for both domestic and international technology firms operating in the market.

The minister’s intervention at this high-profile international forum signals India’s intent to play an active role in global conversations about digital governance, particularly as emerging technologies continue to reshape information ecosystems and challenge traditional regulatory frameworks.