ShareChat has written to the government saying that Tiktok’s content takedown notices are inconsistent with its declared status as an intermediary, reports the Economic Times. ShareChat reportedly asked the government to clarify the intermediary liability status of platforms like TikTok. The government meanwhile, believes that TikTok is “on the backfoot” on this issue, and is set to ask the platform if such takedown requests raise questions over its status as a social media intermediary, according to the report. TikTok’s response to content takedown requests from the government is usually that it's an intermediary and has no control over the content; however, its content takedown notice to ShareChat proves otherwise, since an intermediary is neither supposed to own any content nor have any control over it, the report continues. ShareChat had to take down TikTok videos from its platform after TikTok sent it notices claiming exclusive rights over the content. ShareChat has declined to comment, we're awaiting a response from TikTok. TikTok’s repeated run-ins with Indian authorities In April this year, the Madras High Court had imposed a temporary ban on TikTok, on the ground that the app was responsible for spreading pornography, potentially exposing children to sexual predators, and adversely impacting users’ mental health. The ban was lifted on April 24, as Arvind Datar, amicus curiae in the matter, elaborated on Intermediary Liability protections under the IT Act to explain the scope of exemption for platforms under Section 79, and said that intermediaries were not required to screen all content…
