If IT rules not stayed, they have to be complied with, Delhi HC to Twitter

A bench of Justice Rekha Palli said:"I am inclined to issue notice. If the rules have not been stayed, then they have to comply with the rules."

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice on a plea against the non-compliance by Twitter India and Twitter Inc with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021).

A bench of Justice Rekha Palli said:”I am inclined to issue notice. If the rules have not been stayed, then they have to comply with the rules.”

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The plea moved by advocate Amit Acharya urged the High Court to issue direction to the Centre to pass necessary instruction to Twitter India and Twitter Inc to appoint resident grievance officer under Rule 4 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Ethics Code) Rules 2021 without any delay. The High Court issued notice to the Centre and social media platform Twitter seeking their stand on the plea.

The counsel for Twitter submitted that the rules were not complied when the petition was filed but now, we have complied. The counsel added that resident grievance officer was appointed on May 28 and agree to file a reply in the matter.

The court said the petition is related to compliance of IT Rules, 2021 and issued notice. The court listed for further hearing on July 6. Advocate Akash Vajpai, representing the petitioner, submitted that the appointment is not according with the IT Rules.

The court noted that Twitter submitted that a resident grievance officers has been appointed on May 28, 2021, and its counsel