Where Is the Quick Resolution for User Appeals?

India’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), established to provide users with a mechanism to challenge decisions taken by social media and other intermediaries, is facing a major backlog. According to the latest analysis by the Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in), 49,978 appeals were pending as of September 2026, out of 63,353 appeals received. The organisation said the sharp rise in pending cases highlights the growing gap between appeals filed and those resolved.

The backlog has also raised concerns over delays in grievance resolution. SFLC.in said its tracking indicates that appeals are now taking around 90 to 100 days on average, while the GAC’s framework envisages resolution within 30 days. The organisation has called for clearer timelines, greater transparency, improved procedural safeguards and additional resources to strengthen the system.

The GAC was created under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, to hear appeals from users who are dissatisfied with decisions of intermediary Grievance Officers. Its official portal describes it as an online dispute-resolution mechanism. The growing pendency has renewed discussion around the need to improve the committee’s capacity and ensure users receive timely decisions.