Will not allow social media firms to influence elections by abusing data of Indians, says law minister

Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Wednesday that data of Indians on social media companies will never be allowed to influence India’s elections.

In an exclusive conversation with CNBC-TV18's Mughda Variyar, the minister asserted that social media companies will have to follow India's constitutional norms.

Prasad said, "India will maintain its data sovereignty. We respect social media and its freedom. But certain norms will have to be followed by them, which is there in the constitution. I always believe in self-control. But you don't create a situation where people and young girls are equally troubled."

"So, instead of government being concerned, social media firms should take care of these problems. I don't want the government to interfere, but if violence, radicalism and terrorism will be promoted, then the government has a duty to intervene to save the lives of the people," the minister said.