Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
2. What is the “safe harbour” clause in the Information Technology Act, 2000? Enumerate the challenges posed by the clause. Do you think the time has come to reconsider the clause and remove it? Comment. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Union government on Thursday formally outlined the Digital India Act, 2023 which is a broad overhaul of the decades-old Information Technology Act, 2000. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, announced the changes in a presentation in Bengaluru.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about safe harbour clause, challenges associated with the and need to remove the clause.
Directive word:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining about the safe harbour clause and objective behind it.
Body:
First, write about the challenges posed by the safe harbour clause – defining objectionable content, enforcing the law, uneven distribution of responsibility, and differences in international laws.
Next, write about the need to remove the clause and write about the implication it will have on the intermediaries.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion.
