Ranit Kr. Singh , New Delhi - The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology plans to question major digital and social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Meta, over whether their paid subscription models compromise net neutrality and consumer rights. Speaking after a panel meeting on Tuesday, chairman and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stated that the committee is evaluating these premium models against India’s constitutional right to equality. Dubey specifically highlighted platforms like X, where paid subscribers receive extra features such as extended character limits and wider algorithmic visibility, questioning whether these perks create an unequal digital space for India's 140 crore citizens.

The parliamentary probe's investigation extends beyond social media to broader digital and telecom services. The panel is currently examining whether telecom operators unfairly favor postpaid subscribers over prepaid users, who constitute 90% of India's market. Concerns over non-discriminatory internet usage were recently triggered after a private operator introduced "network slicing" for postpaid users, a practice currently under review by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

To sum it up, Dubey clarified that the panel has not yet arrived at any final conclusions regarding these practices. The recent briefings by TRAI and the Department of Telecommunications mark the beginning of an ongoing deliberation, with the committee scheduled to hold two to three more sittings in the coming weeks before finalizing its official report on consumer protection and net neutrality.