If you are not satisfied with the action or decision taken by the grievances redressal committees of social media companies, you can now appeal against it. The Government on Friday brought new Rules for the formation of Grievance Appellate Committees. As per the notification, those who are not satisfied with the decisions of the grievance committees of social media firms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp can approach the Government-appointed Grievance Appellate Committees which will take a decision in 30 days, which is binding on the social media platforms.
“Every order passed by the Grievance Appellate Committee shall be complied with the intermediary (social media firms) and a report to that effect shall be uploaded on its website,” said the notification, adding that any appeal has to be settled within 30 days.
The appeal also has to filed in 30 days by the aggrieved person who is not agreeing to the decisions of the grievance officer of the social media company. “While dealing with the appeal if the Grievance Appellate Committee feels necessary, it may seek assistance from any person having requisite qualification, experience and expertise in the subject matter,” said the notification. The new Rules are called the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2022 and come into force immediately.
The new Rules also say the social media frims through their grievance officers must acknowledge a complaint within 24 hours and resolve within a period of 15 days. If the complaint is on very serious nature matter (listed six specific categories) the social media firms must act expeditiously and shall be resolved in 72 hours, says the notification. The six issues are related to heinous crimes including against women and child, posts against the integrity and sovereignty, security of the country, public order etc.