The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a new social media policy that includes strict penalties for posting objectionable content. The policy, which was approved in a cabinet meeting, aims to provide the public with information about welfare schemes and government achievements.
According to reports from news portal Aaj Tak, the Yogi Adityanath-led government brought in this policy to encourage the sharing of government-related content, such as videos, tweets, posts, and reels, on various social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The policy also outlines a system for digital agencies and firms to receive payments for advertisements on social media. Content creators are categorized into four groups based on the number of subscribers and followers they have on different platforms, with monthly payments ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹5 lakh. For YouTube videos and podcasts, payments range from ₹4 lakh to ₹8 lakh.
One of the most important aspects of the new policy is the introduction of severe punishments for posting anti-national content. The policy states that individuals who post such material could face imprisonment ranging from three years to life. Previously, such actions were dealt with under Sections 66E and 66F of the IT Act. Additionally, those who post indecent or obscene content could also face criminal defamation charges.
A government spokesperson said, “This policy is designed to ensure that the public is well-informed about the government’s welfare initiatives while maintaining a strict stance against those who misuse social media platforms to spread harmful or anti-national content.”
