Q. With reference to the Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) established under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, consider the following statements:
1.Articles 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution are safeguarded by ensuring compliance with GAC decisions under IT Rules, 2021.
2.The decisions made by the GAC are binding on social media intermediaries.
3.Members serve for a term of three years or until further orders.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanations –
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) established under the IT Rules, 2021 aim to ensure accountability of social media platforms and protect users’ rights. Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution are safeguarded by ensuring compliance with GAC decisions under IT Rules, 2021. The GAC aims to resolve appeals within 30 calendar days.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The decisions made by the GAC are binding on social media intermediaries. Platforms are required to comply with these decisions, and failure to do so can result in the loss of their “safe harbor” protections under the IT Act. Members of the GAC serve for a term of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Each GAC consists of three members.
Source: The Hindu
