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Check spreading of terror: Prasad to Twitter

Concerned over the rise in incidents leading to hatred messages through social networking sites, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has asked Twitter to ensure that social media platforms shouldn’t be used to spread terrorism and extremism.

Prasad, who met Twitter Global policy head Colin Crowell, discussed issues like usage of social media, security and privacy as well as geographical representation of Jammu on the microblogging site, which was later corrected by Twitter after India raised its concern. “I flagged one important issue to him, that when we fully welcome social media, we respect freedom of speech and expression, but Twitter also needs to ensure this platform is not abused for terrorism and extremism,” he told reporters after the meeting.

“... but people do abuse this platform and that care ought to be taken... India is sitting in the midst of a mini terrorist hub and faces this danger, he (Crowell) acknowledged this problem. In fact, he also said that Twitter removed more than 1,00,000 entries because of this,” Prasad said.

The minister also said that the issue of representing Jammu as part of Pakistan was also discussed. “I formally communicated my deep sense of dismay and disapproval on this. A greater sensitivity needs to be shown by these platforms as far as our geographical identity and integrity is concerned,” he said.

Twitter made a faux pas in its location-tagging service that showed Jammu as part of Pakistan and J&K being in China.

A number of Twitter users criticised Twitter for the goof-up with some terming it being biased against India.
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