Why is it in the news?

• A social media platform recently agreed to take down posts and comply with the ‘Voluntary Code of Ethics.’

 About Voluntary Code of Ethics

• Initiative led by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). It aims to ensure free, fair, and ethical use of social media platforms during elections.
• The code voluntarily agreed upon by the participants comes into operation with immediate effect.
• Developed in 2019 due to increased social media usage by political parties.
• Includes provisions for education and communication campaigns to raise awareness about electoral laws.

Key Provisions of the Code:

• Social media platforms must implement policies for access to electoral information.
• Commitment to transparency in paid political ads, utilizing existing labels or disclosure technology.
• Platforms must process reported violations under Section 126 of the RP Act within three hours.
• ECI directs social media platforms to remove objectionable content during elections.
• Content removal aligns with various laws including the Model Code of Conduct, Representation of People’s Act, and Indian Penal Code.