• UGI USER
  • Feb 02, 2024
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SPLIT VERDICT ON IT RULES AMENDMENT

Why in the News?

  • The Bombay High Court’s Division Bench delivered a split verdict on Wednesday regarding a petition challenging the Union government’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023.
  • The case will now be referred to a third judge by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
Source: ET

About IT Rules Amendment:

  • The amendment allows the Centre to establish a fact-checking unit to identify “fake, false, and misleading information” on social media platforms related to the government’s business.
  • The court granted autonomy to the petitioners to seek further extension of protection if needed, emphasizing concerns about intermediary platforms’ limited choices once content is flagged by the government.

Legal Challenges: The Internet Freedom Foundation, assisting Kunal Kamra’s petition, argued that the amendments violate freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) and do not meet the provisions of reasonable restrictions outlined in Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution.

About

Article 19(1)(a):

Guarantees freedom of speech and expression to all citizens of India.

 Article 19(2): 

Allows the state to impose reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression in the interest of sovereignty and integrity.