GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL

Grievance Redressal Mechanism Policy Compliance

1. Introduction VanillaNews.com, operated by Digital Democracy LLP, is committed to ensuring a responsible and ethical approach to content publication. We fully comply with the Grievance Redressal Mechanism Policy as per the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, formulated under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

We recognize the importance of addressing grievances and providing users, stakeholders, and third parties with a structured mechanism for lodging complaints regarding content published on our platform. This policy outlines our commitment to compliance, procedures for grievance redressal, and contact details for resolving concerns related to content, privacy, defamation, misinformation, copyright infringement, and any other legal or ethical issues.

2. Compliance with the IT Act and Grievance Redressal Policy VanillaNews.com ensures full adherence to the provisions mentioned under Rule 3(2)(b) and Rule 4(2) of the IT Rules, 2021, which mandate a structured grievance redressal system for digital platforms.

As per Rule 3(2) of the IT Rules, 2021, digital platforms must:

  1. Establish a grievance redressal mechanism.
  2. Appoint a Grievance Officer.
  3. Acknowledge grievances within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days.

As per Rule 4(2) of the IT Rules, 2021, significant social media intermediaries must:

  1. Appoint a Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person, and Grievance Officer based in India.
  2. Publish compliance reports every month.

VanillaNews.com fully abides by these obligations and ensures that all complaints are resolved transparently and within stipulated timelines.

3. Contact Information for Grievance Redressal For any grievances, concerns, or disputes, users can reach out to our designated grievance redressal officers through the following means:

Grievance Officer: Name: Mr. Saurabh Pathak
Designation: Key Stakeholder and Beneficiary at VanillaNews.com, Majority Stakeholder at Digital Democracy LLP
Email: grievance@vanillanews.com
Phone: +91-9650913741
Address: Digital Democracy LLP, [Company Address], India

Alternate Contact: Email: support@vanillanews.com

Mr. Saurabh Pathak, as the majority stakeholder at Digital Democracy LLP, holds a controlling interest in the financial benefits and profits generated by VanillaNews.com in any and every form whatsoever. As such, he has full authority over the grievance redressal process and ensures the highest level of accountability and compliance.

We ensure a prompt response to all grievances received. In compliance with Rule 3(2) of the IT Rules, 2021, we acknowledge complaints within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days of receipt.

4. Grievance Redressal Mechanism

4.1 Lodging a Complaint

Users can submit grievances via email or the contact form on our website. Complaints should include:

  • Full Name of the complainant.
  • Contact Information (email, phone number, postal address).
  • Detailed description of the grievance.
  • URL or link to the concerned content.
  • Supporting evidence/documentation, if applicable.

4.2 Acknowledgment and Resolution

  • Step 1: Acknowledgment – We acknowledge complaints within 24 hours of submission.
  • Step 2: Review – Our grievance team reviews the complaint and investigates the content in question.
  • Step 3: Resolution – A decision is made within 15 days, and the complainant is informed of the outcome.

5. Compliance with Copyright and Reputational Grievances We take copyright infringement, defamation, reputational damage, and misinformation complaints very seriously. If any individual, entity, or organization believes that their content has been misused, falsely represented, or infringed, they may file a complaint under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and IT Rules, 2021.

Upon receipt of such complaints, we will review the claim, conduct an internal investigation, and remove infringing content if found valid. We also encourage complainants to provide evidence and legal documentation supporting their claims.

6. Our Commitment to Compliance and Ethical Journalism VanillaNews.com is dedicated to maintaining a fair, transparent, and legally compliant digital news environment. We:

  • Adhere to journalistic integrity and accuracy.
  • Take swift action on legal or reputational concerns.
  • Respect user rights and privacy laws.
  • Cooperate with law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

We recognize the dynamic nature of digital journalism and continuously refine our grievance redressal mechanism to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency.

7. Policy Updates This grievance redressal policy is subject to periodic updates in accordance with evolving legal frameworks and technological advancements. We encourage users to visit our policy page frequently to stay informed of any changes.

For the full text of the Grievance Redressal Mechanism Policy under the IT Rules, 2021, visit: https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/IT_Rules_2021.pdf

8. Conclusion We reaffirm our commitment to compliance with the Grievance Redressal Mechanism Policy and assure full cooperation with all stakeholders who have concerns regarding our content. Whether the issue pertains to reputational infringement, content exclusivity, data privacy, or ethical journalism, VanillaNews.com will take appropriate action to resolve matters efficiently and lawfully.

For any concerns, please reach out to our grievance team at grievance@vanillanews.com or call +91-9650913741.