Background
The Bombay High Court has asked the central government to respond to a petition challenging the suspension of a LinkedIn account over posts related to edtech company Byju’s. The petitioner alleged that LinkedIn, a Microsoft-owned platform, unfairly blocked their account after they posted critical content regarding Byju’s financial and operational issues.
Court’s Rationale
- The court acknowledged the petitioner’s right to express opinions on public-interest matters, including concerns about major corporations.
- It sought clarification on LinkedIn’s content moderation policies and the extent of government oversight in such decisions.
- The bench observed that social media platforms must balance their terms of service with fundamental rights, particularly freedom of speech.
Existing Measures
- The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, regulate content moderation by online platforms.
- Users have the right to appeal bans and seek redressal through grievance officers designated by social media companies.
Conclusion
The case highlights concerns over corporate influence on digital free speech and the role of online platforms in regulating user-generated content. The court’s decision could set a precedent for how social media companies handle account suspensions related to corporate criticism.