Following Government’s New IT Rules, Google, Koo Publish Individual Compliance Reports

Image : Representational Purpose Only

As mandated by the Centre’s new IT rules, Google and Indian micro-blogging site Koo have published their individual compliance reports.

Koo has proactively moderated 54,235 content pieces, while 5,502 posts were reported by its users during June, the homegrown company said in its maiden monthly compliance report. It added it was the first Indian social media platform to release its monthly compliance report as required under the IT guidelines that came into force from May 26.

Google, meanwhile, said it received over 27,700 complaints in April this year from individual users in India over alleged violation of local laws or personal rights, which resulted in removal of 59,350 pieces of content, according to its maiden monthly transparency report.

Koo said its report for June 2021 shows that of the 5,502 Koos (posts) reported by its user community, 22.7 per cent (1,253) were removed, while ‘other action’ was taken against the rest (4,249 Koos).

Similarly, Koo took steps to proactively moderate 54,235 Koos, of which 2.2 per cent (1,996) were removed, while ‘other action’ was taken against the rest (52,239), Koo said in an email to PTI.

‘Other action’ includes overlay, blur, ignore, warning etc on Koos that do not comply with the guidelines. Koo – which has over 6 million users – said its compliance report would be published and available on the first day of each month and, where appropriate, will include additional insights.

Under the new IT rules, large digital platforms — with over 5 million users — will have to publish periodic compliance reports every month, mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken thereon.

The report is to also include the number of specific communication links or parts of information that the intermediary has removed or disabled access to in pursuance of any proactive monitoring conducted by using automated tools.

“As Koo gains traction across India, we will ensure that Koo respects the law of the land and meets the requirements, enabling every country to define its own digital ecosystem. This Compliance Report is one step in that direction,” Koo co-founder and CEO Aprayameya Radhakrishna said.

He added that Koo will continue to make efforts to make social media a safe place for all users,