Despite Pushback, Govt Set To Legally Retain GAC Provision In New IT Rules

Despite industry pushback from large social media platforms, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is set to keep the provision of government-appointed grievance appellate committees (GACs) within the new IT rules. 

According to a Business Standard report, the government has received approval from the legal affairs department for the draft’s final version. The report added that the department of legal affairs has suggested certain corrections in the format of the rules and the writing of the document and risk of challenge within the court.

The final version, though, is being translated into Hindi for the Gazette and will likely be completed in a day or two.

Previously, tech giants Meta and Twitter have pushed against a self-regulated grievance appellate committee, stating that it may add to their compliance requirement.

The government has still decided to stick to the proposal of a GAC and has asked intermediaries to make reasonable efforts to deter users from sharing malcontent. 

The ministry further believes that the current company-provided grievance redressal system has been lax, leaving no other option than going to court. The government wants to keep a shorter timeline for a content takedown, especially when it concerns child sexual abuse material or nudity.

It had earlier suggested that the industry come up with a self-regulatory organisation, but with no such organisation in making, the government has proposed to formulate an independent committee. It would be an added step in grievance redressal – between social media companies and any court.

Furthermore, the appellate committee will largely consist of independent experts, but most likely exclude any executives from social media intermediaries or internet companies. 

According to the report, these social media platforms will also have to prominently publish their rules, regulations, privacy policy and user agreement. 

The amended IT Rules are likely to be published by the end of this month.

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