<span style="color: #222222;">Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said, the Government is committed to ensure that the use of the internet in the country is safe and trusted by all its users. Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, the minister said, a fine balance between the freedom of expression and the safety of internet users including those using social media is necessary.<br />''<br />''He reasoned that regulation in the sector becomes necessary to avoid any compromise in the safety of the users including personal data breach. For this purpose, he said the Centre notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 a year ago. When asked if they are a set of mere guidelines, the minister said it has statutory backing, making the guidelines binding on all the service providers like the online intermediaries and publishers.</span><br />