India’s government has announced a major tightening of its digital content regulations, requiring social media companies to remove or disable access to unlawful content within just three hours of being notified. The sharp reduction from the previous 36-hour deadline is part of amended Information Technology rules set to take effect on February 20, 2026, and applies to major platforms such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, YouTube, and Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). The changes also cover AI-generated and synthetic content, signaling a more aggressive and fast-paced approach to digital moderation.
Under the revised rules, “unlawful content” — including material that violates Indian laws on national security, public order, or includes harmful or illegal speech — must be acted upon quickly once a lawful order or notice is issued. The new framework also brings explicit definitions and requirements for AI-generated media, including deepfake images, video, and audio, which must be clearly and prominently labelled as synthetic content by platforms. Regulators have also encouraged the use of tools that help trace the origin of AI content through embedded identifiers or metadata.
These amendments have drawn swift criticism from digital rights groups and technology experts. Many argue that the three-hour takedown window is impractical for platforms handling huge volumes of content and leaves little room for meaningful legal review or human oversight, potentially resulting in over-removal or excessive automation of moderation decisions. Critics also warn that overly tight deadlines could inadvertently curb free expression or push companies toward automated censorship that lacks context.
Supporters of the changes argue they are necessary to combat the rapid spread of harmful and misleading content online, especially deepfakes and AI-enabled misinformation that can go viral in minutes. By cutting response timelines and setting clear labelling rules, the government aims to make platforms more accountable and responsive in India’s vast digital ecosystem. However, tech companies have not publicly endorsed the updates yet, and some may challenge parts of the regulatory overhaul as they adapt to the new compliance requirements.
