Govt's Flip-flops on Internet Use

It appears that the Indian government is just not able to take a clear stand on how it wants to go about dealing with the internet. On one hand, it goes all out and directs social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to block hundreds of pages. On the other hand, it says “we are not in favor of imposing restrictions on the use of internet”.

“The position of government of India is clear-we are on the side of freedom of expression. We know that the internet is most liberating mechanism devised in human history because through this the common man can access services across the world,” said Communications & IT Minister Kapil Sibal at the recent India Internet Governance Conference.

At the same time, the minister also questioned whether the present structure of the internet could provide for accountability of an individual or an entity in case a cyber crime was committed. He emphasized the need to evolve a transparent mechanism to address the misuse of cyber space. “It is not about governance or diktat, it is about the individual who has the right to free speech on the internet who in turn is accountable for what he says because the structure provides for a mechanism through which his accountability can be tested,” he said.

The Backlash

The government's efforts to regulate online content and pressurize social media companies have attracted criticism from all quarters. Recent reports have shown how government has been making attempts to set up an 'appropriate regime' that will address issues related to blocking content on the internet and social media in a 'smart, timely, and consistent manner'.

About a month ago, the government had blocked more than 300 websites, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts after violence inciting content threatening attacks on people of the Northeast origin was posted. Internet experts say some of these could be justified in the interest of national security, but some of the actions have been quite excessive and unnecessary. For example, Bengaluru based Center for Internet and Society, which analyzed more than 300 web pages that have been blocked, says these included people trying to debunk rumors or just news websites.

Since then, the government had been working on creating a process of blocking websites, web pages, and social media accounts like Twitter on the plea of 'national interest.' Obviously, this has invited an angry backlash from the socially networked internet population in the country.

An Image Makeover?

Sibal's recent statements supporting 'freedom of expression' over the internet only indicate a desperate attempt to woo back the internet population. From talking about cyber censorship to advocating 'free speech,' every time Sibal has made a statement on internet use, it has only indicated a complete lack of understanding and confusion on how to deal with the internet and social media. Experts point out that even if one has to attempt internet censorship, it is practically almost impossible to achieve it in totality.

After its recent announcements regarding FDI and economic reforms, it seems the government is trying hard for an image makeover. But it is highly doubtful whether such attempts can really help salvage the government's image that has been much tarnished after a series of scams, corruption charges and a policy breakdown on multiple fronts.