A parliamentary panel in India has suggested that social media platforms like X should disable community notes or face a 'publisher tax', sparking controversy over the government's move to regulate user-generated content.
The panel, led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, has argued that community notes on X should be treated as a publishing activity, making the platform a publisher rather than an intermediary.
The move comes amid a raging controversy over the government's decision to amend the Information Technology Rules, 2021, which will expand regulatory oversight to user-generated content, including community notes.
Opposition parties have responded to the report, with Karnataka's IT minister Priyank Kharge questioning the move to bring community notes under tighter control.
Digital rights advocacy group Internet Freedom Foundation has questioned the procedural and factual basis of Dubey's claim, arguing that the statement contains a 'material inaccuracy' and could have broader implications for free speech online.
