Centre issues notification on amendments to Information Technology Rules, to set up Grievance Appellate Committee
The Union government has issued a notification on amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules of 2021, making significant changes to the grievance redressal mechanism, including setting up of a committee for the purpose.
The Central government published the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2022 in the official gazette on Friday, introducing Rule 3A, which provides for setting up of a Grievance Appellate Committee.
The newly-introduced Rule 3A mandated the Union of India to establish one or more Grievance Appellate Committees within three months from the date of commencement of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2022.
Each Grievance Appellate Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and two whole time members appointed by the Central government, of which one shall be a member ex-officio and two shall be independent members, said Rule 3A (2).
The Rule further said that a party aggrieved by a decision of the Grievance Officer may prefer an appeal to the Committee within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of communication from the Grievance Officer.
It further provided that while dealing with appeal, if the Committee felt necessary, it may seek assistance from any person having requisite qualification, experience and expertise in the subject matter.
The Committee shall adopt an online dispute resolution mechanism, wherein the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal to the final decision, would be conducted through digital mode, said the Amendment.
It added that all orders passed by the Committee should be complied with by the intermediary concerned and a report to that effect shall be uploaded on its website.
As per the government notification the amended Rules put the responsibility on social media intermediaries to ensure that users comply with due diligence requirements laid down under the IT Rules, 2021.
Gloss