Meity moots IT rules tweaks to mandate platforms compliance with advisories, SOPs

New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) The government on Monday proposed draft amendments to IT rules seeking to mandate intermediaries’ compliance with IT Ministry-issued clarifications, advisories and guidelines, even as digital rights advocacy group IFF warned that the move would effectively tie adherence to safe harbour status.

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) raised concerns over the draft provisions, saying the amendment creates a sweeping power for MeitY to issue binding instruments which are not anchored in law such as clarifications, advisories, directions, standard operating procedures, codes of practice, and guidelines “that intermediaries must comply with as a condition of safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act”.