Centre announces new rules for social media platforms, OTT platforms, digital news outlets, among others

As per recent reports, The central government has finalized the rules to regulate internet-based businesses and organizations – OTT streaming services, social media companies, and digital news outlets, among others – as it plans to introduce a sea change in legislation to assert more control over powerful Big Tech firms.

Under the new Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the government plans to mandate social media companies like Facebook and Twitter to erase socially contentious content as early as possible, but no later than 36 hours, after a government or legal order.

As per Draft rules, these companies are required to provide information and help with investigations within 72 hours of a request from authorities. In addition to this, if a post depicts an individual in any sexual act or conduct, then companies must disable or remove such content within a day of receiving a complaint, the rules stated.

Addressing a press conference on Digital Media Ethics Code alongwith my cabinet colleague @rsprasad Ji. #ResponsibleFreedom #OTTGuidelines https://t.co/gijzaecJA8

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) February 25, 2021

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The latest draft rules – which would be legally enforceable –have been released weeks after the government’s dispute with Twitter after the social media firm ignored orders to remove malicious content over farmers’ protests. The new guidelines will supercede the 2011 rules, and government sources said that since the changes are only in the rules, and not the IT Act, Parliament intervention will not be required.

The oversight mechanism will include a committee with representatives from the ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home, I&B, Law, IT and Women, and Child Development. This committee will have “suo motu powers” to call hearings on complaints of violation of the Code of Ethics if it wants. The committee can warn, censure, admonish or reprimand violators, seek an apology besides other actions.

The rules would also apply across other digital and online media, the draft proposal said. “A publisher shall take into consideration India’s multi-racial and multi-religious context and exercise due caution and discretion when featuring the activities, beliefs, practices, or views of any racial or religious group,” the draft rules said.

The rules would also force streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, who objected to an independent appellate body for hearing streaming complaints, to submit to the authority of an appeals body headed by a retired high court or Supreme Court justice.

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If this body believes that the content violates the law, it would be empowered to send the content to a government-controlled committee for blocking orders to be issued.

Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have faced complaints in India for obscenity. Police in Uttar Pradesh questioned an Amazon executive for nearly four hours on Tuesday over allegations that a political drama, “Tandav”, hurt religious sentiments and caused public anger. 

As per new rules, streaming platforms will be allowed to air adult & objectionable content under their right to "Freedom of Expression", however, if the content hurts anyone's feelings or in case there is a public outcry then they will have to provide the details regarding the makers of the content.