India’s short-lived fantasy of seeing Pakistan descend into chaos died on social media platforms with strong backlash from all quarters. But as the dust settled, a number of experts called out Twitter and other social media platforms flatly, for serving as a conduit for disinformation. According to Nighat Dad, founder of Digital Rights Foundation Pakistan (DRFP), verified Twitter accounts were propagating information about Karachi plunging into civil unrest. Several accounts, known for criticizing the Modi government in India, Dr Swain claimed, are being suspended or face restrictions. In the absence of a self-regulatory mechanism by the social media platforms, Dad said, users will have to verify information on their own.

Source: The Express Tribune October 25, 2020 09:45 UTC