Amendments in IT Rules, 2021

• On October 28, the Central Government notified amendments to the IT Rules, 2021.

• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 or IT Rules, 2021 was notified by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY). 

• It replaces decade-old rules regulating social media intermediaries (SMI) to make them more accountable towards providing open, safe and trusted internet.

• The new rules pave the way for the establishment of one or more Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) within 3 months.

• These committees will enable users of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to get recourse to settle complaints without depending on the judiciary.

• The committee will have three members. One of them will be a government officer and the other two will be independent representatives.