Social Platforms in India could soon be responsible for content hosted by them

Sushubh

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New GST Bill will hold online platforms responsible for hosted content: IAMAI | ETtech

The new Goods and Services Tax Bill will put online intermediary platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and online review websites in a precarious position because it holds them responsible for the content they host, said the Internet and Mobile Association of India.

"The new GST Bill clubs all intermediaries as 'agents' who 'carries on the business of supply or receipt of goods and/or services on behalf of another'(emphasis added) and clubs these entities together with commission agents, brokers, etc," said IAMAI in a statement.
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I think its misinterpreted. Its not for content they host.

who 'carries on the business of supply or receipt of goods and/or services on behalf of another
Click to expand...

They are responsible only for items they sell on behalf of other.

This is actually a good thing. If they are getting commission they shud make sure that consumer gets what it wants.
 
the article mentions the example of zomato which is just a social platform for booking orders. the actual food is delivered by restaurants. zomato should not be held responsible for reviews of restaurants on their website and the actual food delivered by the same restaurant.
 
Zomato will not be held responsible for reviews.

But if "item / food" description given by them (zomato) or restaurant is wrong then they will be responsible.
 
As the article said... If the content on the website says that the food is great but the consumer ends up getting food poisoning or anything. They could become liable for that because the customer ordered the food based on the review posted on the website.
 
No article does not mention any such clause - its just speculating.

Only clause it talks about is inclusion of such websites under GST that is they may need to pay/collect taxes.
 

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