Platform Liability vs. User Responsibility Dilemma

With the emergence of the digital world which exposes individual lives to a plethora of information, the authenticity of such information is often difficult to ascertain. It is notable that there is a conflict that arises between the users of the digital platforms and the liability that is borne by those respective platforms during times of misuse. This article shall address all the intricate aspects of the digital world and shall try to answer the question that in times of misuse of an anonymous entity, such as the internet who is to be held accountable for it, the individual users of the platform or the digital platform, who under a digital veil are carrying out such unprecedented activities. The power of the internet is not unknown to individuals in the present time, but with the active part played by the internet in connecting individuals across the globe, it often plays the role of a mis-informer. The words which are often spoken in the digital platforms are not often verified and backed up by proper information, this in turn results in misinformation which may cause legal implications such as defamation and often violates the right to privacy of the individuals. If platforms are held accountable for their harmful content, it is noted that it can further aim to mitigate risks such as misinformation, hate speech and content inciting violence, this aspect is noteworthy in the landmark case of digital world, LICRA vs. Yahoo (2006). Furthermore, it is also recognized that users of digital platforms play an inciting role by generating, sharing and interacting with the content available online. The principle of user responsibility talks about individual accountability for individual posts. This article will examine how the actions and inactions of both platforms and users contribute to the spread of such content, posing significant legal and ethical challenges.