Internet needs rules of engagement: Sibal

Telecom minister Kapil Sibal today made a case for using the Internet as he pleaded for regulation to restrict objectionable content such as hate speeches. HT reports.

Telecom minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday made a case for using the Internet as he pleaded for regulation to restrict objectionable content such as hate speeches.

HT Image

“It’s (Internet) a platform where we need to talk to each other on a daily basis. And also adhere to certain rules of the game. You cannot play cricket without rules, you cannot play baseball without rules,” he said. He said the rules need to be self-imposed.

“Internet governance to me is an oxymoron. How can you govern anybody on the net, you cannot. The net must govern itself.”

“Internet is that kind of energy of millions of atoms. Those atoms should be used for the good of mankind,” said Sibal.

The government had, in recent past, asked Internet and social media firms such as Google, Yahoo, Twitter and Facebook to remove objectionable content from their sites, raising concerns over censorship attempts of Internet in India.

(with PTI inputs)