The government changed IT rules on Friday, paving the way for creating a grievance panel that will address users’ questions about how social media platforms initially handled complaints about content and other matters.

These committees will be able to review content moderation decisions from social media companies such as Meta and Twitter. According to a Gazette notice on Friday, the Grievance and Appeals Committee will be established within three months.

However, changes in IT rules have been going on for months since users were warned of instances of arbitrary behaviour on digital platforms. The latest move will provide users with a grievance mechanism in the form of a grievance board, which will investigate individual complaints against the social media platform’s ombudsman’s decision. Amendments to the IT rules were notified on Friday.

“The central government shall notify the establishment of one or more grievance committees within three months from the date of implementation of the revised rules on information technology (intermediary guidelines and digital media ethics) in 2022,” the notice said. Each appeal committee consists of a chairman and two full-time members appointed by the central government, one ex officio member and two independent members.

“Anyone dissatisfied with the Ombudsman’s decision may appeal to the Grievance Appeals Board within thirty days from the date of receipt of the Ombudsman’s letter,” it said. The Grievance Appeals Panel will process such appeals “expeditiously” and endeavour to resolve the appeal within thirty calendar days of receipt.