The government has prepared a preliminary draft of the Cybercrime Amendment Bill, proposing a five-year prison sentence or a fine of Rs 1 million for individuals spreading fake news.

Additionally, it mandates the removal of content from social media inciting fear, terror, or hatred against law enforcement agencies, the state, or its institutions.

A Digital Rights Protection Authority will be established to regulate online content, with powers to block or remove material deemed harmful.

This includes content targeting the military, and judiciary, or spreading hatred on religious, sectarian, or ethnic grounds. The authority will also address issues such as false accusations, intimidation, and online pornography.

The authority will comprise a chairman and six members, with decisions appealable to a tribunal. It aims to promote accountability in the digital sphere while ensuring protection against misinformation and harmful narratives.

The draft also states that the authority will have a chairman and 6 members and that the authority’s decision can be appealed to a tribunal.