The article explores the recent establishment of three Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) by the Union Government to address user complaints against social media and other internet-based platforms. The committees will also hold power to review and overturn content moderation decisions made by these platforms, marking a significant step in online dispute resolution.
Understanding GACs
Each of the three GACs will have a chairperson, two full-time members from different government bodies, and retired industry senior executives serving for three years from the day they assume office. The committees are chaired by leaders from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, the Policy and Administration Division in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and a senior scientist from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
Role of GACs in Conflict Resolution
The GACs are designed to deal with two types of disputes: violations of laws and user rights, including the right to free speech and privacy, and contractual disputes between platform community guidelines and a user.
Functioning of GACs
The committees will function as part of a tech-sector regulator that MeitY is expected to introduce under the forthcoming Digital India Bill, the successor to the Information Technology Act, 2000. An online dispute resolution mechanism will be adopted where the entire appeal process, from filing to final decision, can be completed online. If a person is aggrieved by a decision made by a social media intermediary’s grievance officer, they can file an appeal to the GAC within 30 days. The GAC must resolve the issue within one month of receiving the appeal.
Significance and Need for GACs
The GACs form an essential part of the overall policy and legal structure, ensuring that the internet in India remains open, secure, accountable, and trusted. The need for the establishment of GACs arose due to a significant number of grievances either being ignored or inadequately addressed by internet intermediaries. The committees are expected to foster a culture of responsiveness among all internet platforms and intermediaries towards their consumers.
Concerns with the GACs
Certain critics argue that government-appointed panels could potentially influence content-moderation decisions made by social media companies. This concern arises from fears of censorship and the curbing of freedom of expression.
Government Initiatives for Cybersecurity
Various initiatives have been launched by the government to enhance cybersecurity. These include the Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative, Cyber Swachhta Kendra, an online cybercrime reporting portal, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC).
Finally, the article ends with previous year questions asked in the UPSC civil services examination related to the topic, helping students understand the practical application of such issues in their examination.
