The Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar on February 28 launched the Grievance Appellate Committee, a faceless dispute resolution mechanism that makes digital platforms – big and small, accountable to DigitalNagriks.
Key points
- The GAC was one of the provisions in the recently amended Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
- Three such bodies have been constituted comprising of professionals from various fields.
- The mechanism is an important part of the overall framework of making the internet Open, Safe, Trusted and the digital platforms accountable. This, in turn, will create a culture of disclosure and public scrutiny.
- The DigitalNagriks can file an appeal with the GACs within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of communication from the intermediary’s Grievance Officer.
- This Committee will subsequently endeavour to address the user’s appeal within a period of 30 days.
- The GAC will be a virtual Digital platform that will operate only online and digitally – wherein the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal to the decision thereof, shall be conducted digitally.
