it act

May threaten 'independence of media' and violate freedom of speech: Madras HC on the IT Rules

Madras High Court finds merit in Mr Krishna’s contention that Part II of the Rules violated the right to speech, and held that any action taken under Rule 3 read with Rule 7 shall be subject to the decision in the petition. The Court has also affirmed the previous stay on Rule 9.

Bombay High Court stays the operation of Rule 9(1) and Rule 9(3) of IT Rules, 2021

The Court found these rules, which prescribed a Code of Ethics and a 3-tier grievance redressal mechanism, to be prima facie violative of Article 19(1)(a) and beyond the rule-making power conferred by the Parliament on the Government.

SC directs States, UTs and High Courts to reply to PUCL’s Application

PUCL's application seeks direction to ensure that authorities do not continue to prosecute individuals under S.66A of the IT Act, 2000. Supreme Court heard PUCL's application and sought responses from all State's, UT's and High Court's.

Big Tech releases its transparency reports in compliance with the IT Rules: Here’s what we found

Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter have released their transparency reports in compliance with Rule 4(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (the 2021 IT Rules).

Update the IT Act 2000: India needs a reboot!

The Information Technology Act, 2000 is the the de facto framework for digital governance in India. However, it needs a reboot .We wrote to the Parliamentary Standing Committee urging them to include the revision of the IT Act in its agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session.

Union of India seeks a transfer of cases challenging IT Rules, 2021

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court has listed the Union of India's transfer petition before another bench on 16th July 2021. The petition seeks a transfer to the Supreme Court of 4 cases challenging IT Rules, 2021 which are pending before different High Courts.

PUCL approaches Supreme Court seeking directions against continued prosecutions under the unconstitutional Section 66A

Supreme Court issues notice in PUCL's application seeking directions against continued enforcement of Section 66A. IFF provided legal assistance to PUCL.

Revealed: RTI Request uncovers MeitY letters to Twitter asking to remove the ‘manipulated media’ tag

We were provided copies of two letters from MeitY to Twitter, which do not cite any provision of law, but have asked Twitter to refrain from implementing its policy and process of affixing the ‘Manipulated Media’ tag on tweets.

Madras High Court issues notice in petition challenging the Intermediary Rules 2021 by T. M. Krishna

Madras High issued notice on a writ petition by T.M. Krishna challenging the Intermediary Rules 2021.

MEITY has no legal basis to ask social media platforms to remove content in middle of India's COVID crisis!

MEITY has written letters to social media platforms. These letters ask platforms to remove content. We write to MEITY asking them to withdraw these letters as they do not have a legal basis and they curb speech.