 "Government warns social media influencers, promoting online betting and gambling will cost heavily")
Govt Guidelines for Social Media Influencers: The government has advised influencers to stop promoting foreign online betting and gambling platforms. The government has issued guidelines saying that such advertisements have a negative impact on people. It especially has a bad effect on the youth.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued an advisory for advertisers and influencers on social media. The government has advised influencers to stop promoting foreign online betting and gambling platforms. The government has issued guidelines saying that such advertisements have a negative impact on people. It especially has a bad effect on the youth. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting itself has given this information. The ministry has issued an advisory by posting it on its social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cautions social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms. pic.twitter.com/BUAMsPFd6S
— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024
What is said in the advisory
The ministry has also asked online advertising companies not to show ads promoting online betting and gambling platforms to Indian audiences. Social media platforms should also make their users aware not to publish such content.
What can be the punishment for not following the guidelines?
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also told in the advisory what can happen if these guidelines are not followed. There is also a provision for punishment against the person and organization who do not follow the advice. If any company or person does not follow this advice, action can be taken against it under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. That person or company may face punishment like closure of social media post or account or even a fine.
Action may also be taken against the company
The government has also clarified that under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, social media companies cannot be held responsible for the content posted by others. But, if the government comes to know that gambling or betting is being promoted on any social media platform, then it can ask the company to remove that content. If the company does not do this then action can be taken against it also.
CCPA’s advice reiterated
The ministry has also reiterated the advice of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) dated March 6, 2024. The CCPA had expressed concern over the endorsement of betting and gambling platforms by celebrities and influencers and warned that any such advertisements would be subject to strict scrutiny.
PM Modi encouraged those doing good work on social media
Recently, a few days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also encouraged social media influencers by giving them awards for doing good work on social media and encouraging people. But, some people promote online betting and gambling platforms on social media, for which the government has issued a warning.