Factcheck! The IT Rules 2021 FAQ
MEITY has published Frequently Asked Questions to ‘bring clarity’ to IT Rules, 21. We separate the Facts from the Claims made in the FAQ document.
Legal
SC appoints a committee to examine the use of Pegasus Spyware in India
Supreme Court has appointed a committee of technical experts overseen by Justice R. V. Raveendran, to examine the use of Pegasus Spyware on Indian Citizens.
May threaten 'independence of media' and violate freedom of speech: Madras HC on the IT Rules
Madras High Court finds merit in Mr Krishna’s contention that Part II of the Rules violated the right to speech, and held that any action taken under Rule 3 read with Rule 7 shall be subject to the decision in the petition. The Court has also affirmed the previous stay on Rule 9.
Bombay High Court stays the operation of Rule 9(1) and Rule 9(3) of IT Rules, 2021
The Court found these rules, which prescribed a Code of Ethics and a 3-tier grievance redressal mechanism, to be prima facie violative of Article 19(1)(a) and beyond the rule-making power conferred by the Parliament on the Government.
MEITY filed a limited affidavit in Supreme Court without confirming or denying if the Government used Pegasus
The Government has filed a limited affidavit before the SC which proposes to constitute a Committee of Experts but does not categorically comment on whether the government used the Pegasus Spyware. The SC has heard submissions on the limited affidavit and has listed the case for 17.08.2021.