The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has recently approved a comprehensive new social media policy designed to significantly enhance the regulation of digital content across major platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. This policy marks a decisive shift towards stricter oversight of online activities within the state, addressing a range of concerns related to content legality, online behavior, and digital conduct.
One of the most impactful aspects of the new policy is its stance on anti-national content. Under the revised regulations, the dissemination of content deemed anti-national is classified as a serious offense, with severe legal consequences. Individuals found guilty of posting such content could face imprisonment ranging from three years to a life term. This represents a significant enhancement from the previous legal framework, which primarily dealt with these issues under Sections 66E and 66F of the Information Technology (IT) Act. These sections address privacy violations and cyberterrorism, but the new policy introduces more explicit and stringent measures to combat content that threatens national security.
The policy also addresses the issue of obscene or defamatory material distributed online. Such content can now lead to criminal defamation charges, reflecting the policy’s broader intent to combat the misuse of digital platforms and enforce legal standards across social media. This move underscores the government's commitment to maintaining decorum and protecting individuals from harmful online behavior.
In a notable development, the policy has established 'V-Form,' a digital agency tasked with managing and overseeing digital advertisements. This agency will handle a range of digital content, including videos, tweets, posts, and reels. By centralizing the management of online advertisements, 'V-Form' aims to streamline the regulatory process and ensure that digital content adheres to established guidelines.
The policy also introduces specific payment limits for influencers and content creators on various social media platforms. For X, Facebook, and Instagram, the maximum allowable monthly payments are set at Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh, respectively. On YouTube, the payment limits are more extensive, with Rs 8 lakh for videos, Rs 7 lakh for shorts, Rs 6 lakh for podcasts, and Rs 4 lakh for other types of content. These limits are designed to regulate the financial aspects of social media engagement and ensure that content creators operate within a defined framework.
Overall, the new social media policy in Uttar Pradesh represents a significant effort to regulate and monitor digital content more effectively. It aims to balance the protection of national interests and individual rights with the need to maintain a responsible and compliant online environment. By addressing anti-national content, obscene material, and financial transactions, the policy seeks to foster a safer and more controlled digital landscape within the state.
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