The Indian govt is planning to modify the IT regulations by introducing a fact-checking unit that will be authorized solely at the discretion of the Union Government.This unit will be responsible for identifying any false or misleading online content related to the govt(1/3)
The addition of this provision under Rule 3 makes it mandatory for intermediaries, including social media platforms & Internet Service Providers, to take necessary action against any content identified as fake or false by the fact-checking unit. Failure to do so may result (2/3)
in the loss of their safe harbour protections. However, granting such wide-ranging powers to any unit of the government to determine the authenticity of online content circumvents the fundamental principles of natural justice and thus renders it an unconstitutional exercise (3/3)