Regulation Of Social Media Platforms: A Comparative Analysis Of India, Us And China

Abstract

Social media platforms have revolutionized communication, but they also bring significant challenges in governance, privacy, and law enforcement. The proliferation of social media has raised pressing concerns about misinformation, hate speech and user privacy. As governments and regulatory bodies grapple with these challenges, laws related to social media have evolved differently across countries. Through the comparative study of social media laws of India with the United States and China, the article will shed light on the complexities and potential solutions to this multifaceted issue.

The Indian government has introduced various regulations to address these issues, including the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which imposes stringent obligations on social media intermediaries, including content takedown and tracing of originators. The primary focus of this research is to unravel the legal complexities surrounding social media in the Indian context. The present research has been fragmented into two fundamental aspects. Firstly, study of the present legal framework in the Indian perspective has been conducted and based on that an analysis of comparative dimensions has been done. India, US and China have introduced regulations to address these issues, but their approaches differ significantly. By consolidating the fragmented regulatory landscape into a unified framework, the study aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations for efficient regulation of social media. This article will also address how international cooperation can foster better global standards, ensuring that social media regulation remains both effective and respectful of fundamental rights. As social media continues to be a powerful tool for communication, information dissemination, and public discourse, finding a delicate balance between freedom of expression and preventing the misuse of these platforms is paramount.