To fight against fake news that can influence elections, the government of India should adopt new legislation that creates specific requirements for action by social media companies, says cyber lawyer Karnika Seth.

The Information Technology Act does not adequately spell out “due diligence guidelines which social media platforms need to abide with,” Seth says in an interview with Information Security Media Group. “The Act is not clear when it comes to elections and fake news.”

The government and social media companies should work together to craft legislation that spells out new mandates for curbing the spread of fake news, she says.

In this interview (see audio link below photo), Seth also discusses:

What kind of law is needed to help safeguard elections from interference;
How the Election Commission of India can generate awareness of fake news;
What kind of law is needed to govern online platforms.

Seth is a cyber lawyer who practices law at the Supreme Court of India and advises government and private companies on emerging public policy challenges and compliance strategy issues, such as curbing fake news.

https://www.inforisktoday.in/interviews/could-new-law-help-curb-spread-fake-news-i-4308