The Indian government on Friday announced amendments to its Information Technology (IT) Rules that will apply to social media companies, in a move that is likely to be seen as a reigning in of Big Tech firms.

Under the amended rules, which came into effect from October 28, a government panel would be formed to hear complaints from users about content moderation decisions of social media platforms, Reuters reported from New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has had strained relations with many Big Tech companies, and New Delhi has been tightening regulation of firms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Social media firms are already required to have an in-house grievance redressal officer and designate executives to co-ordinate with law enforcement officials.

Under the amended rules, the companies would be required to acknowledge complaints from users within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days or 72 hours in case of an information takedown request.

A review of the amendments in the IT Rules by Indianbroadcastingworld.com showed that the government oversight body would be called Grievance Appellate Committee and the federal or the Central Government shall “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.

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the grievance officer of a social media company may prefer an appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of communication from the officer concerned.

The Grievance Appellate Committee shall deal with such appeal expeditiously and shall make an endeavour to resolve the appeal finally within 30 calendar days.

While dealing with the appeal, if the Grievance Appellate Committee feels necessary, it may seek assistance from any person having requisite qualification, experience and expertise in the subject matter.

The Grievance Appellate Committee shall adopt an online dispute resolution mechanism, where the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal to the decision, will be conducted through digital mode.

Every order passed by this government oversight body will be complied with by the intermediary concerned and a report to that effect shall be uploaded on its website.

The latest amendments also lists some other changes relating to content and what all should be done by the intermediaries.

(Parliament photo courtesy https://parliamentofindia.nic.in)