Page 15 - Information Technology Rules News Today

In response to a petition by satirist and comedian Kunal Kamra, the Union government has promised on affidavit to not constitute such a fact-check unit, that would have the powers to call for pulling down of information that the government deems to be not factual.

Comedian Kunal Kamra submitted that the Fact Check Unit will have a chilling effect on the citizens and their right to freedom of speech and expression.

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The rules, notified under the Digital Services Act, aim to tightly regulate the way big technology platforms moderate user content. Here is what the rules are, and how they compare with India's laws.

Across hearings in the case so far, the government has contended that WhatsApp needs to develop a technological measure to enable traceability, and it is necessary to create a safe cyberspace for citizens.

The standup comic petitioned the court to declare the recent amendment to IT Rules as 'unconstitutional', stating that it could potentially result in political satire being pulled down by social media platforms if the government's fact-check unit deemed it as 'fake'.

The government emphasized that it is equipped with resources to verify fake news which is not available to the common man and it is crucial to ensure that authentic information is disseminated to the public.

The Ministry clarified that the "Fact Checking Unit" under the amended IT Rules may only direct removal of false or misleading information pertaining to government policies and programmes, not satire or artist impression.

The Morning Context has a detailed report out today on problems with the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre. The report says it has now taken to less monitoring of standards, far more meeting political ends and trying to ensure PM and the BJP government look good.

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