New Delhi sources stated that a parliamentary panel asked micro-blogging site Twitter to engage more with the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of general elections and also summoned senior officials of other social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram on March 6. Meanwhile this was informed by Anurag Thakur, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, after a nearly three and a half hour meeting with Global Vice President of Public Policy for Twitter Colin Crowell.
Furthermore Thakur said Twitter officials were asked to "engage more" with the ECI and address issues on a "real-time" basis. Reportedly the Twitter officials were told that there should not be any "international interference" in the Lok Sabha polls. Apparently sources said the social media platform was categorically asked to ensure the forthcoming elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities and further this message to the micro-blogging site was in an apparent reference to numerous complaints of interference by social media platforms in the US elections.
Moreover Thakur said Twitter officials replied to most questions and would submit replies to remaining queries in writing in 10 days. As per report the panel, which hear the views of the representatives of twitter on 'safeguarding citizens rights on social/online news media platforms', has also summoned public policy heads of Facebook, WhatsApp and Platform.
