Credits: HT Tech
Experts at United Nations Office of the Human Rights Commissioner have said during a report that it’s concerned that India’s Information Technology Rules, 2021, in their current form, don’t conform with international human rights norms.
There were few observations made in Mandates of the Special Rapporteur for the promotion and protection of the proper and to have a freedom of opinion and expression; and the Special Rapporteur on the proper to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and therefore the Special Rapporteur on the proper to privacy.
The report suggested that India being the leader in technology has the potential to frame legislation that can place it in the forefront to protect the digital rights of the world. However, the extended scope of the Rules is likely to do somewhat opposite, as mentioned in the report.
The report given by the UN mentioned that, “We would therefore encourage the government to take all necessary steps to carry out a detailed review of the Rules and to consult with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society dealing with human rights, freedom of expression, privacy rights and digital rights.”
Further the report added that they understand that since the new Rules were not subjected to any consultation as they were issued under IT Act 2000, but they would propose the consultation to ensure the final text is compatible with India’s international legal obligations, especially with Articles 17 & 19 of the ICCPR.
This observation along side India’s comment also will subsequently be made available within the usual report back to be presented to the Human Rights Council.