India to Introduce Stricter Internet Regulations with New Digital India Bill

"Today India is also the largest connected country in the world, and we want to make India the safest and most trusted country” ~ Mr. Rajeev Chandrashekhar (India's Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology)

India's Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at regulating the internet more strictly and combating cybercrimes in the country. The proposed Digital India Bill will address a range of online safety concerns, including the dissemination of child sexual abuse material, religious incitement material, patent violations, and misinformation on social media platforms.

Digital India Bill: Enhancing Online Safety and Accountability The Digital India Bill, currently under development, seeks to bolster internet regulations and ensure greater accountability of digital platforms. By addressing key issues such as child sexual abuse material, religious incitement material, patent violations, and misinformation, the bill aims to create a safer online environment for Indian citizens. It also intends to hold platforms accountable for hosting illegal or harmful content.

Expanding the Scope of Regulations: The Digital India Bill builds upon the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, by expanding the scope of regulated content. The full list of 11 categories includes pornography, harmful content for children, copyright infringement, misleading content, impersonation, content against India's unity and integrity, computer malware, banned online games, and other illegal activities.

With the Digital India Bill, the government aims to rectify the perceived flaws in the existing legal framework and provide more robust measures to hold platforms accountable for hosting prohibited content. The new legislation will equip the government with the legal means to take action against platforms that fail to comply with regulations and contribute to a safer online environment.

India's plans to introduce the Digital India Bill reflect the country's commitment to enhancing online safety and combating cybercrimes. By addressing critical issues such as child sexual abuse material, religious incitement material, patent violations, and misinformation, the proposed legislation aims to create a safer and more accountable digital space for its citizens. With the expansion of regulations and legal teeth to hold platforms responsible, the government aims to ensure that the benefits of India's digital transformation are experienced by all while mitigating potential risks.