Tech companies lobby for change in IT rules

Global internet and social media giants including Google, Facebook and WhatsApp that have complied with India’s new IT rules continue to engage with the government as they seek the withdrawal of certain contentious clauses, people familiar with the developments told ET.

These companies, along with industry bodies, are pressing for the removal of specific clauses, especially the one that imposes personal criminal liability on the chief compliance officer of a significant social media intermediary, sources said.

“We, along with the other companies and trade bodies, have made clear our concerns regarding the potential impositions of criminal liability on company employees and will continue to engage with the Indian government to try and address these concerns,” said one person cited above.