India tightens grip on social media, orders removal of ‘unlawful’ content within 3 hours
New Delhi: The Indian government has announced stricter social media regulations, requiring platforms to take down content deemed ‘unlawful’ within three hours of being notified about it, sharply reducing the earlier 36-hour timeline.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the move is likely to make compliance more challenging for global platforms such as Meta, YouTube, and X. The changes have been introduced through amendments to India’s 2021 Information Technology (IT) Rules, which have already caused friction between the BJP-led Indian government and global technology companies.
The amended rules also introduce relaxations related to content generated through artificial intelligence (AI).
The new regulations will come into effect from February 20.
The tighter timeline marks the latest escalation in India’s efforts to control online speech.
India’s IT rules empower the government to order the removal of content deemed illegal under various laws, including those related to national security, public order and sexual offenses.
The country has issued thousands of takedown orders in recent years, according to platform transparency reports.
In 2021, X was involved in a tense battle with the Indian government, which has often asked it to restrict content alleging Modi’s Hindu nationalist government is trying to silence criticism, including of its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Internet freedom advocates have warned that new Indian social media regulations could pose a threat to freedom of expression.
