Those who deliberately spread fake news, and create fear, panic, and discord will be punished with 5 years in prison or a fine of 1 million rupees.
The government has prepared an initial draft of the Cybercrime Amendment Bill, and important changes have also been made in the new draft.
According to the draft, anyone who spreads fake news will be punished with 5 years in prison or a fine of Rs 1 million.
Content that spreads news and incites terror against law enforcement agencies or any person will be removed.
Under the draft, a Digital Rights Protection Authority will be established. The authority will have the power to block or remove content from social media.
The authority can issue orders to remove content against law enforcement agencies or anyone.
The draft states that the authority will also be able to remove content related to spreading hatred against the state and state institutions.
The authority will have the power to remove online content against the military and judiciary.
It will also have the power to remove content shared to spread hatred on religious, sectarian, or ethnic grounds.
According to the draft, content that intimidates a person falsely accuses them and is related to pornography will also be removed, as will content that promotes terrorism and other forms of violence against the state or its institutions.
The draft also states that the authority will have a chairman and 6 members, 3 of whom will be ex-officio members. The authority’s decision can be appealed to a tribunal.