Government Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Discusses Digital India Act, Social Media Regulation, and E-Governance
The government has no issues with anonymous accounts on social media but platforms should develop a mechanism to verify users so that in case of any unlawful activity, they can be identified, said electronics and information technology minister of state Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Setting Goals and Achievements of the 1,000-Day Countdown
Chandrasekhar had set up a timer to keep track of the deliverables assigned to him by the government. He stated that he had managed to achieve most of the goals, except for the overhaul of the 24-year-old IT Act through the Digital India Act, the draft of which could not be released for consultation. He expressed hope that the next government will take up this process.
Chandrasekhar’s View on Social Media Regulation and Anonymous Accounts
Chandrasekhar emphasized that there has been a paradigm shift in how the government is approaching social media platforms. He mentioned that India is the first country to start evolving a framework where platforms are held accountable by introducing the Information Technology Rules in May 2021. While he acknowledged that the government has no problem with anonymous accounts, he stressed that platforms should verify their users to ensure accountability in the event of any unlawful activity.
Challenges as a Minister and Regulatory Policies
Chandrasekhar discussed how challenging it is to get all stakeholders to agree on various digital issues and digital policymaking. He critiqued the fact that some experts engage in debates without leading towards informed solutions. He addressed claims of the government being omnipresent and spying on citizens, stating that surveillance is necessary to protect against terrorism.
Electronics and Mobile Phone Manufacturing and India’s Semiconductor Industry
Chandrasekhar commented on the success of the government’s manufacturing policy, particularly in the electronics and mobile phone sector. He mentioned that India is export-dependent as far as mobile phones are concerned, attributing this success to various government policies. He expressed optimism about the semiconductor industry, indicating that India is on track to achieve a $300 billion industry by 2026-27.
Conclusion
Overall, the interview provided insight into Chandrasekhar’s perspective on various pertinent issues in technology and governance, and the government’s stance on these topics.
FAQ
Q: What is the government’s stance on anonymous accounts on social media?
The government has no issues with anonymous accounts on social media but platforms should develop a mechanism to verify users so that in case of any unlawful activity, they can be identified.
Q: What are the key challenges discussed by Rajeev Chandrasekhar as a minister?
Rajeev Chandrasekhar discussed how challenging it is to get all stakeholders to agree on various digital issues and digital policymaking. He also addressed claims of the government being omnipresent and spying on citizens, stating that surveillance is necessary to protect against terrorism.
Q: What are Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s views on the semiconductor industry in India?
Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed optimism about the semiconductor industry, indicating that India is on track to achieve a $300 billion industry by 2026-27.
