The government brought back a proposal to amend rules governing social media companies, including plans to set up a new government-appointed committee that experts have said will effectively take a final call on who C Content is retained or removed from the Websites. Twitter and Facebook.
rules for social media The companies came into effect from May 26, 2021. This mandated large social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter To enable the identification of the ‘first originator’ of information undermining India’s sovereignty, state security, or public order.
The central government is planning to set up an appellate committee to look into the appeals filed by individuals against the decisions of the grievance officers of the social media platform. Further, as per the notification for amendment in Information Technology (Intermediate Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct), the panel will have to dispose of the appeal within 30 days of receipt of the appeal and its decision will be binding on the intermediaries or the concerned large social media companies. ) Rules, 2021.
The proposed move assumes significance against the backdrop of instances of accounts, including celebrities, by social media platforms such as Twitter for alleged violation of relevant community guidelines.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) said, “The Central Government shall constitute one or more Grievance Appeal Committees consisting of a Chairperson and such other members as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.” Draft notification.
The government’s proposal to set up a grievance panel that has the power to override the decisions of social media companies and other internet firms is aimed at addressing some of the loopholes and lacunae arising from large technology companies, an official statement said on Monday. To do.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) said in a press note attached to the reloaded draft notification for amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediate Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct) Rules, 2021 that it will hold a public consultation in mid-June. Will do offer.
It has extended the time for public comments on the draft notification to amend the IT Rules, 2021 by 30 days from June 6.
The draft notice dated June 1 had mentioned June 22 as the last date for public comments. The draft was removed by Meity on June 2 and has been uploaded again on its website.
Meity said it has notified the IT Rules, 2021 on February 25, 2021, with the goal of ensuring an open, secure, reliable and accountable internet for all Indian internet users and “digital citizens”.
Under the rules, key social media intermediaries—which have over 50 lakh users—are required to appoint a grievance officer, a nodal officer and a chief compliance officer. These personnel must be resident in India.
Social media firms that fall under the rules are also classified as “big tech” companies because they dominate the sectors in which they operate.
Meity said that the notified rules have been successful in creating a new sense of accountability among the intermediaries for their users, especially within Big Tech platforms.
“However, as the digital eco-system and connected internet users expand in India, so will the challenges and problems faced by them as well as some of the drawbacks and drawbacks of the current regime as compared to Big Tech platforms. Therefore, a new amendment has been proposed in the IT Rules 2021 to address these challenges and shortcomings.
The Center, in the draft amendment, has proposed to set up a Grievances Appeals Committee to look into the appeals filed by individuals against the decisions of grievance officers of social media platforms.
Further, as per the notification for amendment in Information Technology (Intermediate Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct), the panel will have to dispose of the appeal within 30 days of receipt of the appeal and its decision will be binding on the intermediaries or the concerned large social media companies. ) Rules, 2021.
The aggrieved person can appeal against the decision of the Grievance Officer concerned before the Committee within 30 days of the receipt of the order.
“The Grievance Appeal Committee shall deal with such appeal expeditiously and endeavor to finally dispose of the appeal within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the appeal. Every order passed by the Grievance Appeal Committee shall be complied with by the concerned arbitrator,” stated in the draft notification.
(with inputs from agencies)