The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023

The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023
 

News: In context of implications of IT amendment act, 2023 on Online Gaming.
 

What are the amendments?
Determining the role and responsibility of Intermediaries
 To make a reasonable effort to not host/publish/share any online game that Can harm the user and has not been verified by an online gaming self-regulatory body.
 To ensure that no advertisement of a non-permissible online game is hosted on its platform.
 In relation to online games involving real money, their responsibilities include - The displaying of a mark of verification by the self-regulatory body, informing their users of the policy for withdrawal or refund of the deposit, Obtaining the KYC details of the users; and Not giving credit or enabling financing by third parties to the users.
 

Role of Government
 It may notify multiple self-regulatory bodies, which shall be representative of the online gaming industry but function at arm’s length from their members. 

Duty/authority of self-regulatory bodies
 To inquire and satisfy itself that the online game does not involve betting/gambling on any outcome.
 To ensure that the online game complies with the rules/requirements under the law, including measures to safeguard through parental controls, etc.
 

When will the rules becomes applicable?
 The obligations become applicable once a sufficient number of self-regulatory bodies have been designated so that the online gaming industry has adequate time to comply.
 

How will the amendments help?
 It will enforce greater due diligence by online gaming and social media intermediaries.
 Enable the Indian online gaming ecosystem to expand and grow and become an important catalyst to India’s One trillion-dollar Digital economy goal by 2025-26.