New Delhi Apr 25 PTI A policy advocacy group has sought a regulatory framework for skill-based online gaming to protect children and weed out unscrupulous offshore playersChase India has released a paper highlighting the need for unified framework for the online skill-based games ecosystemA clear and sound national regulatory framework for skill-based online gaming will protect children consumers ensure the growth of the sunrise sector while keeping at bay illegal actors operating from overseas in the space the group said in the paperAt present different states have interpreted laws on gaming differently causing confusion for legitimate players while unwittingly allowing illegal offshore players with no accountability in the country to operate with abandon it saidThe policy paper examined the issues relating to online skill gaming and proposes the way forwardBased on the issues faced by users industry and other stakeholders the policy paper recommended reforms in the existing regulatory framework to ensure that the growth of the industry is balanced with protective measures so that consumers particularly children are not harmed and unscrupulous players are weeded outThe paper said the framework of regulation can ensure growth of the ecosystem and protection of users of online skill gaming platformThe paper recommended that games of skill should be clearly defined in the proposed regulatory framework and a robust self-regulatory mechanism must be built that sets high standards of ethics for the industry while maintaining their operational efficienciesA grievance redressal mechanism on the lines of OTT platforms regulatory framework should be prescribed in the gaming industry it saidThe provisions to ensure protection of children should be built into the system such that their access to age-inappropriate content can be blocked and the regulations should ensure reasonable security and privacy of the users and the platforms it saidThe policy paper recommended that the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules 2021 may be amended to include specific provisions for online game of skill intermediaries The proposed reforms will address the urgent need to protect players and online games of skill ecosystemThe policy paper urged the nodal ministry Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to initiate the process of inclusion of guidelines for online games of skill intermediaries with administrative support from the concerned ministry PTI UZM RHL

New Delhi [India], October 22 (ANI): The Centre told the Delhi High Court on Friday that if the IT Rules 2021 are not implemented, the law enforcement agencies will face difficulty in tracing the origin of fake messages and such messages will percolate in other platforms thereby disturbing peace and harmony in society leading to public order issues.