Comply, and then debate, say Indian techies

‘Social Media Companies Can’t Be Selective About Which Country’s Laws They Will Adhere To’

- Sindhu Hariharan

Chennai: With the new intermediary guidelines for social media platforms kicking in and big tech in a logjam with the government, desi tech entrepreneurs say social media has become too big to escape scrutiny, and global players are trying to wiggle out of compliance. Globally, India is not alone in placing such expectations on digital companies, and similar controls are being considered in other countries, they said.

“Global social media giants who are opposing the government’s new guidelines are trying to arm-twist the sovereign. If the law requires you to do something, you have no choice but to do it. If you are aggrieved by the law or regulation, you can contest in a court. Comply first court next,” Murugavel Janakiraman, founder of BharatMatrimony, and a fierce internet freedom campaigner, said. “It is one thing to seek time to comply and another to challenge laws. The big is becoming bigger and have misplaced notions that they can challenge and get away. They must not forget that they need India more than India needing them,” he said.