Meta Row: 'No more free pass and immunity for social media, amid US lawsuit against Meta,' says IT Minister

Meta Row: Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has stated that the era of giving social media platforms a "free pass" is coming to an end, and strict accountability will be implemented both in India and around the world. In an interview, he emphasised the need to recognise the negative aspects of these platforms, which have so far received significant attention for their positive aspects.

The backdrop for this conversation is the lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, filed by more than 40 US states. This federal lawsuit accuses Meta of "exploiting" young users through a business model that aims to maximise the time they spend on the platform, even at the expense of their mental health.

The lawsuit claims that research has demonstrated that the use of Meta's social media platforms by young people is linked to depression, anxiety, insomnia, interference with education and daily life, and other adverse outcomes.

Chandrasekhar expressed his belief that the world has been lenient with these platforms for too long and that it is now time to reevaluate the situation, especially in the United States. He stressed the importance of making these platforms more accountable, particularly concerning who is allowed to host content. He asserted that the days of granting these platforms a "free pass" and immunity are ending, aligning with the intentions of the Indian government.

Also Read: 33 U.S. states sue Meta and Instagram over harmful features affecting youth's mental well-being

- With inputs from agencies

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