On 27th January 2023, MeitY notified three Grievance Appellate Committees (GAC) under Rule 3A of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”). It recognises the GAC to be a “critical piece” in the larger legal framework in the Indian digital landscape. The Centre has appointed three members each to the three GACs so notified. The list of members of each GAC is provided later in the article.

On 2nd January 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MEITY”) published draft amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”), in relation to the online gaming. The said amendments seemingly aim to address the need to ensure the online games are offered in conformity with Indian laws and that the users of such games be safeguarded against potential harm.[i]

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MeitY”) has invited comments from stakeholders and the general public on an amendment proposed to rule 3(1)(b)(v) (“proposed amendment”) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”) with respect to due diligence obligations of social media and other intermediaries regarding fact checking misinformation by Government to prevent sharing false, untrue or misleading information.

On October 28, 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2022 (“Amendment Rules”). The key developments are highlighted in the article

The MeitY, on 6th June, 2022, published proposed amendments to the Information Technology Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules, 2021”), which were notified on 25th February, 2021, for public consultation and stakeholder comments

On 26th May 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ("MeitY") published the Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy ("NDGFP") for public consultation. The last date for submission of comments is 11th June 2022. The Preamble of the Draft NDGFP highlights the rapid growth of the economy and digitization of governance in India. It notes the value of data-driven governance during the COVID-19 era while recognising the accelerating rate of digitization and the volume and velocity of data generated in present times. The Draft NDGFP has been published with the aim to utilise this data to improve citizens' experience and engagement with the government.