Amendment Sparks Debate: IT Rules Under Fire from Digital Advocacy Groups
The proposed amendments to the IT rules have drawn significant criticism from civil society and digital advocacy groups. The changes aim to include non-publisher news content under existing regulations. The government remains open to feedback, with a focus on clarifying roles and addressing concerns over potential censorship.
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- India
The recent amendments to IT rules have ignited a public outcry, particularly from independent news creators and digital advocacy groups. The draft, aiming to regulate non-publisher news content similarly to registered news, has been met with calls for withdrawal due to alleged opaque censorship risks.
IT Secretary S Krishnan stated that the government is receptive to suggestions and may extend the feedback deadline. While asserting that the amendments are clarificatory, Krishnan emphasized the importance of following constitutional frameworks and engaging with industry stakeholders to refine the proposals.
The proposed changes include clarifying the intermediaries' roles under Part III and consolidating guidelines. The Ministry's actions have raised concerns about the implications for small businesses, with ongoing calls for greater transparency and industry consultations.
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