Merchants Of Malice

Merchants Of Malice

Merchants Of Malice
  • COVER STORY
    Monetised Lies are an Assault on Democracy

    A handful of technology behemoths are milking India's safe-harbour provision at the altar of the country’s social harmony and economic aspirations. It is incumbent on free societies to revisit the leeway given to these social-media giants

    BY Neeraj Thakur 1 April 2026

    Merchants of Malice
Merchants Of Malice
01-april-2026

Outlook Business Magazine - Merchants Of Malice

Misinformation is bred and spread on social media on a massive scale. Common people have been paying the price for years, be it in the form of financial fraud, social unrest or communal riots. But why can't misinformation on such platforms be curbed and why can't these platforms be held accountable? Big Tech companies have a legal shield—the safe-harbour provision—in India that protects them from being held accountable. These giant corporations treat India just as a scale market and are milking misinformation for moolah as human, social and economic costs mount in India. Our cover story makes the case for doing away with safe harbour to protect India's digital future.