Bombay HC strikes down amended IT Rules, terms them as unconstitutional

The Bombay High Court on Friday quashed the amended Information Technology rules aimed at identifying through a Fact Checking Unit (FCU) “fake and false” content against the government on social media platforms, holding it as unconstitutional.

Observing that the amended rules infringed the right to equality and freedom of speech, the court also said the rules being vague and broad could cause a “chilling effect” not only on an individual but also social media intermediaries.