NEW DELHI: The govt on Saturday sought to clarify certain ‘misgivings’ vis-à-vis some provisions in the Information Technology Rules 2021 that allow temporary restrictions on internet services and dissemination of information.
The Information and Braoadcasting ministry in a statement said that the provision has been in force for the past 11 years, and been exercised in emergencies.
“It is to inform that this provision is exactly the same as being exercised by Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology since past eleven years under Information Technology (Procedure & Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules,2009,” the statement read.
It further said that Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 provide an institutional framework for news publishers and OTT platforms on the digital media ecosystem.
The new rules, introduced earlier this month, will require big social media companies to set up a grievance redressal mechanism and within three months appoint new executives to coordinate with law enforcement.
Big social media firms will be obliged to remove content within 36 hours of receiving a legal order. The government also said companies need to assist in probes or other cyber security-related incidents within 72 hours of receiving a request.
(With agency inputs)