WEB DESK/ AGENCIES
An Indian parliamentary panel today asked micro-blogging site Twitter to address covernment concern and engage more with the Election Commission ahead of general elections. It asked the Twitter to ensure the outcome was not influenced like they were allegedly done US presidential polls in the 2016.
The panel also summoned senior officials of other social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram on March 6 to discuss its concerns.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology held a nearly three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Global Vice President of Public Policy for Twitter Colin Crowell and other officials of the micro-blogging platform.
Anurag Thakur, chairman of the panel, said that Twitter officials were asked to “engage more” with the election body and address issues on a “real-time” basis.
They were told that there should not be any “international interference” in the Lok Sabha polls.
Sources said the social media platform was categorically asked to ensure the forthcoming elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities.
This message to the micro-blogging site was in an apparent reference to numerous complaints of interference by social media platforms in the US elections, they said.
Mr Thakur said Twitter officials replied to most questions and would submit replies to remaining queries in writing in 10 days.