Fake news on WhatsApp, Facebook groups could land admin in jail

Becoming group admins on FB and Whatsapp could leave you in legal trouble

New Delhi: Becoming a group administrator on Facebook and Whatsapp could land you in legal trouble. Due to massive circulation of fake news, new rules have been drafted, according to which on may have to face legal suit if fake news is being circulated any one in a group, of whose admin you are. Groups are created on social media platforms so that people can discuss, share views, photographs and videos. But, several times morphed or fake information, and disturbing videos, fabricated news are also circulated which lead to communal tensions and unrest. District Magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Senior Superintendent of Police Nitin Tiwari, issued a joint statement and said that “any factually incorrect, rumour or misleading information on a social media group could result in an FIR against the group administrator”. Considering this issue, directives are being issued to social media groups, WhatsApp and Facebook group administrators and members, the order said.   What did the order say?

• “With over 200 million WhatsApp users in India, the order directed that social media group administrators should be ready to bear the responsibility and ownership of the groups”

 

• “The administrator must include only those members who are personally known to him or her”

 

• “If any statement is made by a group member which is fake, can cause religious disharmony, or rumour, the group admin must deny it on the group and remove the member from the group, the order said”

 

• "In the event of inaction from the group admin, he or she will be considered guilty and action will be taken against the group admin"

 

• “Such a post must also be reported to the nearest police station so that action can be taken against the member under the law”