"Should we fire up this bad boy"- Television's
Back in the 60s, Dr.
In this edition, we're discussing the new space policy, the government's attempt to 'fake' check content, and bite sized stories on AI, digital trade, and age-gating cinema.
The what:Now, private players are allowed to conduct end-to-end space-based activities such as satcom, satellite launches, remote sensing and satellite navigation, among others. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center or IN-SPACe can also allow private players to undertake any other space activities in the future. Further, the policy also allows private players to obtain foreign orbital resources (this includes 'orbital resources' like geostationary or non-geostationary orbit slots and associated spectrum acquired by a country other than
The who:The policy specifies roles of different government bodies in the space sector. This includes the
The path ahead:The policy sets out a forward-looking vision for the space sector. It will also support domestic policies like 'Make in
Is your social media post about the government fact or cap? - the government wants to check
A new body under the IT rules - that is not the GAC: Remember the government's proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT rules) to fact-check you through the
What's the issue: Comedian
As it stands: Hearing Kamra's plea, the Court allowed him to make changes to his petition to also challenge the government's competence to bring in these amendments. The Court has asked the government to file a complete response to Kamra's petition including the question on competence. This case will be heard next on 08 June.
Addendum: These amendments were clubbed with the online gaming amendments to the IT rules. Here is an
Mini-splainers
- Artificial intelligence regulations: Few days back, IT minister, Mr.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said thatIndia doesn't plan to bring a new law to regulate AI - for now. This is becauseIndia plans to leverage AI to deliver citizen-centric services (remember theChatGPT x Digital Bhashini collaboration?) and it believes that strict regulations at this stage might curb innovation. However, several central and state government bodies such as the Telecommunication Engineering Centre are working towards crafting standards for AI. In fact, the upcoming Digital India Act may also deal with emerging tech like AI. Regulators on the other side of the globe have viewed developments around AI - especially ChatGPT - with caution.Italy resuscitated ChatGPT after a brief ban, as OpenAI assured it has 'addressed or clarified' issues raised by data protection regulators. With several European regulators including the French, German and Irish, investigating ChatGPT closely - the European Data Protection Board has set up a task force to coordinate investigations and enforcement. The US too is reportedly investigating AI regulation and ChatGPT. Read Sreenidhi and Pallavi's piece on generative AI from a privacy lens. - Digital trade: Recently, the
World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled againstIndia on the import duties it imposes on some information and communication technology products, saying that it violated global trading rules. ButIndia doesn't agree and will appeal this decision. From the Indian government's point of view, this was done to check sub-standard imports, promote local industries, and keep a check on the re-routing of cheap imports from other countries. This also comes in the background ofIndia's customs moratorium saga at theWTO .WTO members have agreed not to impose customs duties on 'electronic transmissions' (which includes anything from online shopping to music streaming to emails to online games). Last year, after multiple rounds of back and forth,India agreed to extend this moratorium. Previously,India andSouth Africa , argued that imposing such customs duties would help developing nations gain millions of dollars' worth of lost tax revenue. - Cinema and age: The
Cabinet approved the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Under this, the government has the power to block websites sharing pirated copies of films (no more 'extra-legal' ways of consuming content!). It also introduces stricter age-based categories for content. The existing U/A categories will be further subdivided into three categories: (UA 7+), (UA 13+) and (UA 16+). This will be recommendatory in nature. However, the industry feels that the higher and stricter age classification will affect the audience base, which in turn will affect the sale value of the film for producers. In other news,HBO shows like Succession and Game of Thrones leftDisney + Hotstar, and found their new home on Jio Cinemas. Jio has also bagged the sweet IPL deal. - Bills check: The next session of the
Parliament (July/August) is likely to see the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill come to life. TheParliament may also see the Telecom Bill which was released around Diwali last year. While reports suggest that both the bills have been updated on the basis of stakeholder inputs- it is yet to be seen what has stayed and what has changed. Read our summary of the Data Bill and Telecom Bill.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
Ikigai Law
Ikigai Law
B-99, Ground Floor
Tel: 114160 4733
E-mail: contact@ikigailaw.com
URL: www.ikigailaw.com
© Mondaq Ltd, 2023 - Tel. +44 (0)20 8544 8300 - http://www.mondaq.com, source