The Government of India on March 13, 2026, introduced the Digital Networking Platforms (Accountability and User Protection) Bill, 2026 to provide for accountability, transparency and due diligence obligations of Digital Networking Platforms; to protect users’ rights; to prevent misuse of digital networking services for unlawful, harmful or deceptive purposes; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in Official Gazette, appoint.
The document lays down obligations for platform operators to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in content moderation. Platforms must adopt mechanisms to prevent, detect, and remove harmful or unlawful content, especially where public interest discourse is affected. They are also required to maintain internal records of systemic risks arising from algorithms, design features, or operational practices, along with taking any additional prescribed measures.
For significant digital networking platforms, stricter responsibilities are introduced. These include conducting annual public-interest impact assessments covering areas such as elections, public health, and social harmony. Platforms must also publish summaries of these assessments along with the mitigation steps taken, ensuring greater public accountability and awareness of their societal impact.
The Act further mandates transparency in automated systems by requiring platforms to clearly explain how algorithms influence content visibility and dissemination. However, such disclosures are limited to systemic effects and must not reveal proprietary information or duplicate existing legal requirements. Non-compliance with these provisions can result in compensation liability under Section 45 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Finally, the Act empowers the Central Government to frame rules for implementation and provides procedural safeguards for parliamentary oversight. It clarifies that its provisions supplement existing laws without overriding them and includes a mechanism to address implementation difficulties, ensuring flexibility while maintaining consistency with the broader legal framework.
[Bill No. XXXII of 2026]
