Context: Recently, the Centre has notified the formation of three grievance appellate committees that will address users’ complaints against social media and other internet-based platforms.

Grievances Appellate Committees (GACs)

• Members: chairperson, two whole-time members from different government entities, and retired senior executives from the industry

• Duration: Three years from the date of assumption of office

• Who can join: It would be open to social media companies setting up a self-regulatory body.

• Appeal: Any person aggrieved by a decision of the grievance officer of a social media intermediary can file an appeal to the GAC within 30 days.

• The GAC will have to resolve it within a month.

Designation of persons that will chair all 3 committees

• First committee: Chief executive officer of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Second committee: Joint secretary in charge of the Policy and Administration Division in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

• Third committee: senior scientist at the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

Function

• Committee members can seek assistance from expert and experienced people while dealing with users’ appeals.

• They will adopt an “online dispute resolution mechanism” where the entire appeal process, from its filing to the final decision, will be done online.

• Social media companies will have to compile every order passed by the GACs and report them.