The Central Government has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2022 in order to amend the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The amendment inserts a new rule providing appeal to grievance Appellate Committee. The Rule provides that the Central Government, by notification, 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. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Grievance Officer may prefer an appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of communication from the Grievance Officer.
Constitution of Grievance Appellate Committee:
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.
Functions:
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The Grievance Appellate Committee shall deal with such appeal expeditiously and shall make an endeavour to resolve the appeal finally within thirty calendar days from the date of receipt of the appeal.
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The Grievance Appellate Committee shall adopt an online dispute resolution mechanism wherein the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal to the decision thereof, shall be conducted through digital mode.