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  • Government to set up social media grievance committees: Report

    National
    Government to set up social media grievance committees: Report

    In contrast to internet behemoth Meta (which owns Facebook and WhatsApp) and microblogging platform Twitter...


    Digital Desk: The government plans to establish appeals panels to address any issues users may have about how social media platforms first handle their content-related and other complaints, according to reports.


    In contrast to internet behemoth Meta (which owns Facebook and WhatsApp) and microblogging platform Twitter, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) prefers three-member grievance appellate tribunals to make decisions.


    Modifications to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, will determine how the panels are constituted.


    The amendments may force social media platforms to recognize user grievances within 24 hours and respond to them within 15 days.


    Materials reported may include child sexual abuse, nudity, trademark and patent infringements, misinformation, impersonation of others, and materials threatening the unity and integrity of the nation.


    According to them, anyone who feels wronged by a decision issued by a social media platform's grievance officer has 30 days to file an appeal with the appellate committee. Additionally, they mentioned that the amendment might mandate the formation of one or more such panels to address grievances regarding various social media platforms.


    The business community and numerous stakeholders were outraged when the government announced draught regulations for the grievance appellate committee in June. The IT ministry then noted that there is now no credible self-regulation mechanism in place, nor is there an appellate process provided by intermediaries.