India to safeguard national interest on content regulation legislation

India’s technology Minister has called for wide consultation with internet companies before finalising the new law on content regulation on social media announced in December 2018. Internet companies have criticised the current draft as imposing on them an excessive burden because they will have to pre-screen any content before it is put online to make sure that content which is illegal or which is affecting ‘sovereignty and integrity of India’ will not be shared. Although consultations have been launched, the government has specified that it always frame legislations in order to safeguard the country’s national interest.