The collapsing appeal

India's IT Rules today route a takedown complaint through three stages: the platform's Grievance Officer, then the Grievance Appellate Committee, then the Inter-Departmental Committee. A proposed amendment lets the ministry bypass the first two, sending cases straight to the body it itself staffs.

Figure

Flip between the two regimes to see how the appeal path changes for one user's takedown complaint.

  1. 1
    Your complaint
    The platform has removed your post. You want to contest the takedown.
  2. 2
    Grievance Officer
    The platform's in-house officer hears your appeal and decides in the first instance.
  3. 3
    Grievance Appellate Committee
    A cross-platform committee hears appeals against Grievance Officer decisions.
  4. 4
    Inter-Departmental Committee
    The apex body — a committee staffed by the ministry itself.

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Part of The Digital Media Amendments in Ex Machina. Other explorables.