Days After Delhi Police Visiting Its Office, Twitter Expresses Concern About ‘Intimidation Tactics’

Days after the Delhi Police visited Twitter India's offices in Delhi and Gurugram in connection with its probe in the Toolkit case, Twitter on Thursday (27 May) said it was very concerned with the recent events regarding its employees and the potential threat to freedom of expression for its users.

“Concerned by recent events regarding our employees in India and potential threat to freedom of expression for people we serve. We've concerns with regards to intimidation police's tactics in response to enforcement of global Terms of Service and core elements of new IT Rules,” a Twitter spokesperson said.

“We plan to advocate for changes to elements of these regulations that inhibit free, open public conversation. We will continue our constructive dialogue with the Indian Government and believe it is critical to adopt a collaborative approach,” Twitter said.

Requesting the Ministry of Electronics and IT to consider a minimum of three months extension in order for Twitter to implement the rules, the social media platform urged the ministry to publish Standard Operating Protocols on procedural aspects of compliance for public consultation.

As per reports, the Delhi police visited Twitter’s office after it sent a notice to Twitter India over Toolkit tweets being flagged as 'manipulated media'.

This notice was sent over the alleged Congress Toolkit which has been prepared by the AICC Research Cell. The party has called this Toolkit fake.

The notice said that a preliminary inquiry is being conducted over the Toolkit allegedly released by the Congress party. It adds that "during the course of investigation it has come to our knowledge that you are acquainted with the facts of the matter and are in possession of information with regards to the same".