GACs to have wider scope, will hear all types of grievance appeals

MeitY had stated there was a need to set up GACs as grievance officers hired by the platforms often did not address issues satisfactorily

Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) to be formed under IT Amendment Rules, 2022 will play a broader role, and will deal with all types of appeals of grievances against intermediaries, including those related to personal data of users, sources said.

The government had, in October, notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2022 after five months of deliberations. Under the newly-inserted sections, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will establish one or more GAC within three months from the enactment of the rules.

Though the rules do not limit the jurisdiction of GACs