Government Strengthens Safeguards Against Digital Addiction; 11.37L+ Citizens Reached Through 6,650 Cyber Awareness Workshops

Why in news

The government has reinforced measures to create a safe digital ecosystem, particularly for children, by strengthening online safety, privacy protection, and cyber awareness. This includes disabling OTT platforms for obscene content and conducting cyber awareness workshops.

Exam relevance

GS2, GS3 · Governance, Society, Internal Security · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. Over 11.37 lakh citizens have been reached through 6,650 cyber awareness workshops.
2. 50 OTT platforms have been disabled in the last two years for hosting obscene content.
3. The Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 form the legal framework for digital well-being.
4. Intermediaries are required to remove unlawful content within three hours of receiving a court order or reasoned intimation from the government.
5. Intermediaries must inform users not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update, or share information harmful to children or violating any law.

Prelims pointers

• The IT Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021 form the legal framework for digital safety.
• Intermediaries have a three-hour window to remove unlawful content upon receiving a valid order.
• Cyber awareness workshops have reached over 11.37 lakh citizens.
• Sections 67 & 67A of the IT Act are relevant for content regulation.

Mains practice question

Discuss the legal and regulatory framework in India designed to ensure a safe and accountable digital ecosystem. Analyze the effectiveness of recent amendments to the IT Rules in addressing challenges like digital addiction and the spread of harmful content, particularly concerning children.

Static linkage

The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and its subsequent rules, including the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, are central to regulating the digital space in India. These legal instruments aim to address issues related to online content, intermediary liability, user safety, and privacy, reflecting the evolving challenges posed by digital technologies.

Significance

The government's reinforced measures signify a proactive approach to combating digital addiction and ensuring a safer online environment, especially for vulnerable groups like children. The disabling of OTT platforms and the emphasis on cyber awareness workshops highlight efforts to enforce legal provisions and promote responsible digital citizenship. The amendments to IT Rules, mandating swift removal of unlawful content, aim to enhance accountability of intermediaries and provide quicker redressal for harmful online activities.