The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to make the process of removing unlawful online content more transparent and accountable.
The amended rules, effective November 1, 2025, aim to enhance due diligence by intermediaries, including social media platforms, and ensure that content removal is lawful, proportionate, and thoroughly reviewed.
Senior-Level Authorisation Now Mandatory
Under the revised Rule 3(1)(d), only senior officers of the government, not below the rank of Joint Secretary or equivalent, can issue directions to remove online content.
In the case of police departments, this authority will rest only with an officer of at least Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank.
The amendment also introduces the concept of a “reasoned intimation,” which requires officials to clearly state:
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The legal basis and statutory provision for the order,
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The nature of the unlawful act, and
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The specific URL or electronic identifier of the content to be removed.
This replaces the earlier vague “notification” system, bringing clarity to how intermediaries act under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Periodic Review and Accountability
All takedown directives will now undergo a monthly review by a Secretary-level officer of the appropriate government. This review mechanism is intended to ensure that enforcement remains fair and proportionate, preventing any misuse or arbitrary restrictions.
According to MeitY, the review process will also check whether takedown orders continue to be relevant and justified in their legal context.
Balancing Free Speech and Regulation
The Ministry stated that the amended rules aim to balance citizens’ constitutional rights to free expression with the legitimate need for regulation in cases involving unlawful content such as terrorism, obscenity, or misinformation.
Adapting to the AI Era
The amendments come at a time when AI-generated content and deepfakes are becoming major challenges for digital governance. MeitY has already proposed labelling norms for synthetic or AI-generated media to help users distinguish between real and manipulated content. The new framework complements these efforts by ensuring that any takedown related to AI-generated misinformation or manipulated visuals follows a lawful, transparent, and accountable process, rather than arbitrary enforcement.
This approach acknowledges that in the age of artificial intelligence, clarity and accountability are as important as speed in tackling online harm.
A Step Toward Clearer Digital Governance
The 2025 amendments come after earlier revisions in 2022 and 2023, which focused on strengthening due diligence and grievance redressal. With this latest change, India’s digital governance framework takes another step toward greater transparency, accountability, and rule-based enforcement in the online space.
For users, this means fewer arbitrary removals and clearer reasons when content is taken down; for platforms, it provides a structured and lawful process to follow, strengthening trust in India’s digital ecosystem.
