Why did our social media apps not get banned?

After yesterday, there was a strong belief that our social media platforms will remain no more. However, that is not the case. Why so?

Majority of social media users were concerned yesterday about whether or not their favourite apps were going to be banned or not. Well, as we have reached 26th May 2021 - passing the compliance deadline for the new IT Intermediary Rules - the apps are still working.

Now obviously, it is a relief, but what is going on?

See, simply put, the apps are not banned. They also will not be banned anytime soon. But what is the reason? The social media platforms have chosen to not agree to some laws, and they get a pass? Well, this is the answer:

They are not getting a pass.

Currently, all social media platforms have been provided legal immunity by the Indian IT Department. This immunity (immunity, here, is a method of safeguarding entities against legal prosecution) saves all the social media platform from being questioned in court. So today, if I post something on Instagram or send a message on Instagram which is violating guidelines or is worthy of a "red-flag" - you (the receiver) can only question me and not Instagram (the platform).

But now, as the platform executives have chosen to not comply with the new Intermediary Rules, the IT Department is looking to pull this immunity back. This will make the social media platforms extremely vulnerable and subject to regular court cases. This is a dirty method to force and pressure the platforms into compliance. It now just becomes a waiting game for the government as they are confident that one day, the social media platforms will fold their cards.

This basically has turned into a waiting game.

Conclusively, your apps are not getting banned. But they in the future will have to agree to the terms of the government and probably cost us a degree of our freedom and privacy. The government is playing a bit dirty to ensure that the platforms comply, and I do not believe that there is any way out for the platforms. Time will tell if there is any new alternatives sought.

I will keep you informed.