New Delhi, April 7 -- On 30 March, the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) published draft amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2021, which, if passed, will have far-reaching consequences for internet users in India.

While each of the three primary amendment proposals does something different, together they will transform the internet from a rules-based regime into one governed by discretion. Though they may seem benign, their bite could be worse than their bark.

The new Rule 14(2) would expand the powers of the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) from hearing just "complaints and grievances" to "any matter" referred directly by the ministry. Rule 8 takes things further by not j...