Meta's Crisis Surpasses Government Department Woes: Delhi High Court

Delhi High Court's recent rebuke of Meta's handling of a legal dispute highlights concerns over platform accountability and user rights. Explore the court's critique and the impending legal ramifications

Delhi High Court's Critique of Meta's Situation:

The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, criticized Meta's handling of the situation, stating that it was worse than that of a government department.

The court emphasized the need for Meta to be more attentive and proactive in addressing issues related to its platform, particularly in responding to legal matters such as pleas against content blocking.

Specific Criticism Regarding TV Today's Plea:

TV Today filed a plea against the blocking of Harper's Bazaar India's Instagram page, which was done following a complaint of copyright violation from a third party.

The court highlighted Meta's failure to provide a satisfactory reply to source, indicating a lack of efficiency in its response mechanisms.

Concerns Over Meta's Functioning:

The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, expressed serious concerns about Meta's system functionality.

It warned Meta to improve its functioning, emphasizing that its current system was inadequate and ineffective.

Threat of Legal Action Against Meta:

The court issued a stern warning to Meta, stating that if it fails to enhance its functioning, it could face legal consequences.

This indicates the seriousness with which the court views Meta's performance and its responsibility to maintain a reliable and efficient platform.

TV Today's Challenge Against IT Rules:

TV Today not only contested the blocking of Harper's Bazaar India's Instagram page but also challenged the constitutionality of Rule 3(1)(c) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Rule 3(1)(c) allows intermediaries like Meta to block access to accounts without providing users a fair chance to contest the decision, according to Source.

Meta's Response and Explanation:

Meta defended its actions by stating that Harper’s Bazaar India's Instagram page was blocked after receiving three copyright strikes.

It also mentioned its practice of submitting reports to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) regarding the large number of requests it receives daily.

Court's Reminder to Meta:

The court reminded Meta that having millions of users does not absolve it of its responsibility to ensure proper functioning and adherence to regulations.

This serves as a wake-up call for Meta to prioritize the improvement of its platform's efficiency and responsiveness.

Upcoming Hearing:

The case is scheduled for another hearing on Wednesday, indicating ongoing legal scrutiny and the importance of resolving the issues raised by source and the court promptly.