Regulation of Ethics in Digital India

by Abha Kashyap Managing Patner

Recently, the Central government notified and released guidelines pertaining to the regulation of OTT Platforms and have a proper regulatory mechanism for social media platforms including digital media. The said Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, have been introduced in place of the earlier Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011.

The prime objective for the introduction of these rules is to have an effective grievance redressal mechanism, safeguarding the users on social and digital media platforms.

Part II of the Rules enunciate the guidelines for Due Diligence by Intermediaries.

Part III of the Rules enunciate the procedure pertaining to digital media and social media and the Code of Ethics.

The mentioned rules have been introduced in order to safeguard the interest of the users, increase transparency and accountability of the social media and digital media platforms. The rules mention the classification of digital content into 5 different categories based on age.

Copy of the Rules can be accessed here

Originally posted on www.kpalegal.com on 27th Feb 2021