IFF warns of ‘digital authoritarianism’ as Modi govt moves to tighten IT rules
New Delhi: Indian digital rights advocacy group, the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), has raised alarm the BJP-led government’s proposed amendments to the Information Technology rules, warning they mark a “dangerous expansion of executive power over online speech” and a step toward “digital authoritarianism.”
According to Kashmir Media Service, the draft amendments to the IT Rules, 2021, released by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, come with a brief 15-day public consultation window ending April 14, 2026, raising concerns over limited scrutiny of changes with far-reaching implications for free speech and online platforms.
Rejecting the Indian government’s claim that the changes are merely “clarificatory,” the IFF said they significantly expand state control over online content. It called for immediate withdrawal of the draft, urging citizens to “stand with the Constitution of India” against what it described as an attempt to circumvent existing court orders and expand government censorship.
At the centre of criticism is Rule 3(4), which would require intermediaries to comply with a broad range of government-issued directives—including advisories, SOPs and guidelines—or risk losing legal protections under Section 79 of the IT Act. The IFF argues this creates binding obligations “not anchored in law.”
The amendments also propose expanded data retention requirements, raising surveillance concerns, and extend oversight powers that could bring even individual users posting news or current affairs content under government scrutiny.
Legal experts note that key provisions of the existing IT Rules are already under judicial review, warning the new changes may attempt to bypass court scrutiny by reintroducing contested mechanisms in a revised form.
Veteran journalist Samar Halarnkar cautioned that the proposals “could spell the end of independent journalism in India.”
Placing the move in a broader context, the IFF said the amendments come amid increasing government-directed censorship, particularly targeting online political speech, satire and criticism of leadership, including Prime Minister Modi.
“We are alarmed by the continuing expansion of unchecked executive power… These actions smack of digital authoritarianism,” the IFF said, adding it will submit a detailed response if the draft is not withdrawn before the deadline.
