Social media is basically a web-based communication platform that permits individuals to communicate allocating and consuming information. It is distinct from that conventional like Television, Radio, and Print Media. Broadly, media is divided into four categories i.e., Print Media, Broadcast Media, out-of-home media, and Internet media. As taught in a private law college in West Bengal the rapid emergence and evolution of technology have created a new world of the cyber world. As the world’s information technology has advanced, it has created a vast opportunity for people to access and store their personal data. Unfortunately, this has led to the inevitable misuse of this technology, which has resulted in various cybercrimes being carried out at both the domestic and international levels. Today, social media has become a vital part of our lives. It has transformed our lives by allowing us to create our own content and share it with our friends. The rise of social media has allowed people to interact with each other regardless of their backgrounds or professional interests. It has also become a platform for cybercrime. Therefore, it is important that the government has the necessary tools to protect the privacy of our information and that is taught in LL. B course in West Bengal.
Social media law encompasses all the legal issues associated with user-generated content, and it comes under both civil and criminal law aspects. Some of the legal concerns for businesses' social media are the right to privacy, defamation, advertising law, intellectual property (IP) law, etc as taught in a private law college in West Bengal. The brand must be careful while sharing any content on social media as sometimes it may infringe on a copyright, a trademark, or other IP rights. With the growth of social networks, the social media law-related scenario is also evolving. The vast terrain of social media law protects posting content online based on guidelines, and it may broaden or protect the restricted privacy rights of employees. There is no mention of the freedom of media or press in the constitution, but it follows through Article 19, which provides the right to freedom of expression. The regulations surrounding social media in India are regulated by the country’s information technology act, which was enacted in 2000. The act defines social media as an intermediary, and therefore, it is liable for various acts and omissions that are covered by Indian laws. The LL. B course in West Bengal says that Section 66A of the Information Technology Act is focused on regulating the content of social media. It prohibits the transmission of audio, video, or text messages that are offensive. It also prohibits the forwarding of electronic mail that is designed to cause injury, annoyance, or insult to other people. This type of conduct is done with the intention of inciting hatred and spreading false information. For regulating social media, the government draws up the Information and Technology Rules, 2021. In case of infringement of rights, these provisions have been established to seek redressal for their concerns.
Such regulations are made for the protection of women and children from sexual offenses, to stop the spread of false news, and to prevent the misuse of social media platforms. It also could punish wrongdoers for simply breaking an online rule or regulation.