Page 100 - Veritas

Yahoo, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and WhatsApp to question them
about the rampant spread of such media online. After the hearing, the
court ruled that “the GoI may frame necessary guidelines / SOP and im-

plement them within 2 weeks so as to eliminate child pornography, rape

and gang rape imageries, videos and sites in content hosting platforms and
other applications.”

Following this, the GoI tabled the draft IT rules 2018 during the monsoon

session of the Parliament, 2018. During the discussion on the draft rules,
the GoI also identified the need to place restrictions on online mediums
(including social media, online forums and OTT platforms) from spreading

not only sexual imagery but also fake news and prevent misuse of the on-

line mediums. The GoI decided to set up a parliamentary panel to study the
effect of pornography on children and the effect of fake news on society.
The panel report was tabled in 2020. Following the panel report, the GoI

also held an open house to discuss the rules on 5th January 2019 followed

by ten days for counter comments on the draft rules.

These draft rules, 2018 after many arguments and amendments, were fi-

nally passed as the IT rules, 2021 on 25th February 2021.

What does the IT rules, 2021 hold for a citizen of India?
What does the IT rules, 2021 hold for a citizen of India?

1. A person who shares electronic media online needs to do it with due

diligence. No one must spread information that could be defamatory, ob-
scene, pedophilic, harmful to a child, infringes any patent or trademark,
deceives or misleads from facts, impersonates another person, threatens

the unity and integrity of the nation etc. An offence from the above could

attract punishment.

2. Every online media platform must prominently publish the rules &

regulation of posting media and their policy in this regard.

3. Due diligence must be observed in posting media in relation to news
and current affairs content (Fake news or unverified news must never be

shared).

VERITAS 85