Read on Twitter
President @realDonaldTrump has just categorized Twitter as a Publisher. HUGE!
But, what does this mean?
But, what does this mean?
Twitter wanted to be seen as a platform for the sole purpose of avoiding legal constraints.
This is because it requires more responsibility and ofcourse, investment of a lot more money.
This is because it requires more responsibility and ofcourse, investment of a lot more money.
How are they platforms? Platform is something that we own. Like our laptops.
We can do what we want on our platform. We can choose which OS we work on, Windows or Linux. Its a personal choice.
We can do what we want on our platform. We can choose which OS we work on, Windows or Linux. Its a personal choice.
Twitter regularly deletes followers, suspends accounts, asks to delete tweets and locks down the entire account for few days.
Basically, they are indirectly editing all the work of individuals that is to be published here.
Basically, they are indirectly editing all the work of individuals that is to be published here.
Newspapers, magazines and other publishers do the same to meet the legal and community guidelines.
They do this because they are accountable. So, how can Twitter call itself a platform and still have its policies which hold them blameless from libel and other legal action?
They do this because they are accountable. So, how can Twitter call itself a platform and still have its policies which hold them blameless from libel and other legal action?
How can laws be different for offline publishers and online Twitter like Social Media publishers?
Just because Twitter leverages technology, they should be exempt? This never made sense, never will.
Just because Twitter leverages technology, they should be exempt? This never made sense, never will.
Will Twitter be out of business if we redefine it as a Publisher? Seen as a platform, its gets a free pass on many legal issues.
Twitter should be sued for restricting FOE as it enables intolerance, deletes subscribers (followers) & doesnt allow certain expressions to be online.
Twitter should be sued for restricting FOE as it enables intolerance, deletes subscribers (followers) & doesnt allow certain expressions to be online.
Some asking if Twitter is taxed in India.
My understanding is limited but my thoughts are that Govt should stress on Data localization as right now our contract is not with their Indian offices.
Once they store all the data here, they have to make India specific contracts.
My understanding is limited but my thoughts are that Govt should stress on Data localization as right now our contract is not with their Indian offices.
Once they store all the data here, they have to make India specific contracts.
Once Twitter sets up servers in India, then they can be treated as a permanent establishment.
The authorities will get the right to tax all income attributable to the country.
The authorities will get the right to tax all income attributable to the country.
What has the Govt done till now?
Digital Tax in form of amendments to Section 9 of the Income Tax Act introduced in the Finance Bill 2018, came into effect from April 2019.
This resulted in Twitter coughing up more taxes than usual. No surprise, they are angry with Modi.
Digital Tax in form of amendments to Section 9 of the Income Tax Act introduced in the Finance Bill 2018, came into effect from April 2019.
This resulted in Twitter coughing up more taxes than usual. No surprise, they are angry with Modi.
In addition, the Cabinet has also ratified the multilateral convention to implement tax treaty related measures to prevent profit shifting.
This allows modification of India’s bilateral tax treaties with various nations to curb revenue loss through treaty abuse & base erosion.
This allows modification of India’s bilateral tax treaties with various nations to curb revenue loss through treaty abuse & base erosion.
Much more needs to be done. Here is what I propose:-
1. Classify Twitter as a Publisher and apply all laws especially of Libel as you do with other publications.
2. Stress on Data Localization. Our data belongs to us, to maintain data integrity should be the focus of this Govt.
1. Classify Twitter as a Publisher and apply all laws especially of Libel as you do with other publications.
2. Stress on Data Localization. Our data belongs to us, to maintain data integrity should be the focus of this Govt.
3. Create a new Social Media framework and guidelines. Let the Cyber experts form most of the panel rather than some babus.
4. Govt advertisements should given as a policy only to Social Media companies operating in India who store data locally.
4. Govt advertisements should given as a policy only to Social Media companies operating in India who store data locally.
5. Ask Twitter to release a Transparency report quaterly highlighting content & account removals.
6. Fine/Legal proceedings against both individual and Twitter for not complying to the laws of the country.
6. Fine/Legal proceedings against both individual and Twitter for not complying to the laws of the country.
7. Give power to the Govt to switch off connections to the world wide web in an emergency (very important).
8. Hire dedicated Cyber Police who will monitor social media publishers & take suo-moto action against Cyber criminals.
8. Hire dedicated Cyber Police who will monitor social media publishers & take suo-moto action against Cyber criminals.
Cyber warfare is the danger of our times. We have Army, Naval Force & Air Force. We need to add another dimension to this & build a Cyber Force.
For starters, let the Cyber Police of states & Cyber Force work together & build the structure of solutions offered in tweets above.
For starters, let the Cyber Police of states & Cyber Force work together & build the structure of solutions offered in tweets above.
This thread started with the appropriate action on Twitter & ends with talk on Taxes, suggestions & Cyber Force.
Didnt mean to digress but all of this is interconnected. I have worked on all these domains & anyone else who has, would bail me out on this. Thanks for reading.
Didnt mean to digress but all of this is interconnected. I have worked on all these domains & anyone else who has, would bail me out on this. Thanks for reading.
