UN Special Rapporteurs write to govt against IT Rules, ask for review

They say the IT Rules seem to be at variance with international law and standards on privacy rights and freedom of opinion and expression, to which India is a signatory

The United Nations Special Rapporteurs have written to the Government of India expressing concern about the newly notified IT Rules, 2021, and asked that it carry out a detailed review, and consult with all relevant stakeholders.

"We express serious concern about the obligations on companies to monitor and rapidly remove user-generated content, which we fear is likely to undermine the right to freedom of expression. In particular, we worry that intermediaries will over-comply with takedown requests to limit their liability, or will develop digital recognition-based content removal systems or automated removals to restrict content. As emphasised by our predecessors, these