Facebook asked the Delhi assembly on Tuesday to withdraw a subpoena notice for alleged inaction in hate speech cases. The social media giant said the matter falls within the purview of the Center.
“The regulation of intermediaries like Facebook is the exclusive competence of the Union of India. As Parliament is considering the issues, we oppose the Notice and ask you to remember it, ”Facebook India said in its response to the Delhi assembly.
A Delhi Assembly committee on peace and harmony issued a notice to Facebook India Vice President and Managing Director Ajit Mohan, asking him to appear before it on September 15 in connection with complaints about the platform’s alleged deliberate and intentional inaction. of social networks to contain hate content in the country.
The panel is headed by Rajendra Nagar’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmaker Raghav Chadha.
“The Facebook letter ignores the privilege of the committee. Facebook’s refusal to appear before the committee is an attempt to conceal crucial facts regarding its role in the Delhi riots. New subpoenas will be sent to you in accordance with the principles of natural justice, ”said Chadha.
The notice was issued after the committee said prima facie, it found that Facebook was allegedly complicit in aggravating the February riots in northeast Delhi that left 53 dead and at least 400 injured. These have to do mainly with posts on your platform before and during the rites.
Meanwhile, a former Facebook employee said a “politically sophisticated” attempt to influence the Delhi elections in February unfolded on the social media platform before it was quietly withdrawn.
Former Facebook data scientist Sophie Zhang also cited examples in the memo of how the company failed to act in a timely or transparent manner in addressing attempts to undermine democratic processes around the world.
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