CRITICALLaw Passed2021-02-25 · India
India IT Rules 2021 — Government Takedown Powers and Anonymity Undermined
India's Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 required platforms to appoint local government grievance officers, comply with takedown orders within 36 hours for "emergency" requests, and — most controversially — allow traceability of the "first originator" of messaging app messages. WhatsApp challenged the traceability requirement in Indian courts, arguing it was technically impossible without breaking end-to-end encryption for all users. The rules also created a government oversight body for online news and OTT content, which critics said gave authorities sweeping censorship powers over digital journalism.
Tags
indiaIT-rulestraceabilityencryptiontakedownWhatsAppsurveillancepress-freedom
Sources
→ https://meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Intermediary_Guidelines_and_Digital_Media_Ethics_Code_Rules-2021.pdf→ https://www.article19.org/resources/india-it-rules-2021-threat-to-free-speech/→ https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/03/india-proposes-sweeping-internet-surveillance-rules→ https://techcrunch.com/2021/05/26/whatsapp-sues-india-government-new-it-rules/← Back to IncidentsAll data from public records