UGC Policy
SER GENERATED CONTENT (UGC) TERMS
The Company ARCHA MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED is incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 and operates a digital news media platform through its website and mobile application. The Platform is operated under the trademark “NEWS NEXT”, which is legally owned by the Company through a valid Assignment Deed transferring full rights, title, and interest.
- Introduction
These User Generated Content Terms (“Terms”) govern the submission, publication, and use of any content contributed by users on the NEWSNEXT platform operated by Archa Media Private Limited. These Terms are framed in compliance with applicable Indian laws including the Information Technology Act, 2000, Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, Copyright Act, 1957, Trade Marks Act, 1999, Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
- Definition of User Generated Content
User Generated Content shall mean and include any text, comments, articles, images, videos, audio, graphics, reviews, or any other material submitted, uploaded, or shared by users on the NEWSNEXT platform through any medium or feature.
- Eligibility and Responsibility of Users
By submitting content on NEWSNEXT, the user represents and warrants that they are legally competent to enter into binding obligations and that the content submitted is lawful, accurate, and does not violate any applicable law. The user shall be solely responsible for the content they create, publish, or share and for the consequences arising from such content under applicable laws including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- Ownership and Rights in Content
The user shall retain ownership of the original content created by them; however, by submitting such content, the user grants Archa Media Private Limited a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display such content on NEWSNEXT and associated platforms, subject to applicable provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957.
- Prohibited Content
Users shall not submit any content that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, invasive of privacy, harmful to minors, infringing intellectual property rights, or otherwise prohibited under applicable laws including the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,2023 . Any content that misleads users, spreads misinformation, or violates public order, decency, or morality shall also be strictly prohibited.
- Intellectual Property Compliance
Users agree that any content submitted shall not infringe any copyright, trademark, patent, or other proprietary rights of any third party. Unauthorized use of protected works, logos, brand names, or confidential information shall make the user liable under the Copyright Act, 1957 and Trade Marks Act, 1999, and NEWSNEXT reserves the right to remove such content upon notice.
- Privacy and Data Protection
Users shall not publish or share personal data of any individual without lawful authority or consent, and any such act shall be governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. NEWSNEXT shall process any personal data contained in user content in accordance with applicable data protection laws and its Privacy Policy.
- Content Moderation and Takedown
Archa Media Private Limited reserves the right to monitor, review, edit, or remove any user generated content that violates these Terms or applicable laws. Upon receiving actual knowledge or a valid complaint under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the company shall take appropriate action including removal or disabling access to such content within the prescribed timelines.
- Grievance Redressal
Users or affected parties may report objectionable or unlawful content through the designated Grievance Officer in accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Complaints shall be acknowledged within twenty-four hours and resolved within fifteen days as per legal requirements.
- Safe Harbour Protection
Acha Media Private Limited shall be entitled to safe harbour protection as an intermediary under applicable law, provided it observes due diligence and complies with statutory obligations, including expeditious removal of unlawful content upon obtaining knowledge of such content.
- Liability of Users
Users shall be solely liable for any civil or criminal consequences arising from their content, including but not limited to defamation, infringement, privacy violations, or unlawful acts. Archa Media Private Limited shall not be liable for any third-party content, subject to compliance with applicable legal provisions.
- Suspension and Termination
Archa Media Private Limited reserves the right to suspend or terminate access of any user who violates these Terms or applicable laws, without prior notice, and may also take appropriate legal action where necessary.
- Indemnification
The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Acha Media Private Limited, its directors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or legal proceedings arising out of or in connection with the user’s content or violation of these Terms or applicable laws.
- Amendments
These Terms may be modified or updated from time to time to reflect changes in law or business practices, and continued use of the platform shall constitute acceptance of such revised Terms.
- Jurisdiction
Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms shall be governed by the laws of India and subject to the jurisdiction of udupi courts.
Effective Date:12/05/2026
