The Containment Zone

The Union government, on February 25, released guidelines for social media, digital news media and OTT (over the top) content providers, seeking to address concerns over transparency and accountability of such platforms. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the government said, will “empower ordinary users of digital platforms to seek redressal for their grievances and command accountability in case of infringement of their rights”.

While the guidelines have been in the works for over three years, the immediate trigger was the Republic Day violence in the national capital and the storming of the Red Fort during the tractor rally organised by farmers’ outfits protesting against the contentious new farm laws. The Union government and Twitter had been embroiled in