NCW Proposes Sweeping Overhaul of India’s IT Act
New Delhi – In a significant move to enhance online safety for women, the National Commission for Women (NCW) is championing a sweeping overhaul of India’s two-decade-old Information Technology Act, 2000. Citing a surge in sophisticated cybercrimes, from AI-generated deepfakes to relentless online stalking, the panel has put forth bold recommendations aimed at making the digital world a safer space. The two standout proposals are a dedicated victim compensation fund and mandatory AI audits for social media giants.
The call for this IT Act revamp is urgent. The original law, drafted when the internet was in its infancy, is now woefully ill-equipped to handle today’s AI-driven landscape. What was once a law for email and basic websites is now grappling with viral misinformation, algorithm-fueled harassment, and the non-consensual creation of synthetic media. For countless women, the promise of digital connectivity has been overshadowed by the threat of digital violence.
Proposed Victim Compensation Fund: A Lifeline for Survivors
At the heart of the NCW‘s proposal is the creation of a ‘Victim Compensation Fund’. This initiative focuses on restorative justice, not just punitive action. The panel suggests that this fund be financed by penalties levied on social media platforms and other intermediaries that fail to comply with safety regulations.
This money would provide a critical lifeline for victims, covering costs for:
* Mental health counselling
* Legal expenses to fight their cases
* Relocation funds to escape harassment in extreme situations
This acknowledges the painful reality that the trauma of online abuse often spills into the real world, carrying significant financial and emotional burdens. By making platforms financially accountable, the proposal aims to shift the onus from the victim to the powerful corporations profiting from user engagement.
Mandatory AI Audits to Combat Deepfakes and Bias
The second groundbreaking recommendation is the demand for mandatory, regular audits of the AI and machine learning algorithms used by major tech platforms. This is a direct response to the growing menace of deepfakes and the way algorithms can amplify hateful and misogynistic content.
An ‘AI Audit’ would function as a digital safety check. Independent auditors would scrutinize the complex codes that decide what users see, searching for biases that could endanger women and other vulnerable groups. The goal is to ensure these powerful systems are not designed in a way that facilitates the creation of harmful deepfakes or pushes abusive content into a user’s feed. This proactive approach seeks to fix the problem at its source.
Challenging Big Tech’s ‘Safe Harbour’ Immunity
These recommendations, if adopted, would represent a fundamental shift in how India regulates its digital space. They directly challenge the broad legal immunity, often called “safe harbour,” that platforms have long enjoyed under Section 79 of the IT Act. The message is clear: tech companies can no longer be passive observers; they must be active participants in ensuring user safety.
The road from recommendation to legislation is long. Big Tech will undoubtedly raise concerns about feasibility and freedom of speech. However, the NCW has fired a crucial starting gun. As India solidifies its position as a global digital powerhouse, the safety and dignity of its citizens online cannot be an afterthought. This proposed IT Act revamp isn’t just about updating a law; it’s about reclaiming the internet as a space for empowerment, not exploitation.
