The Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) on July 22, 2026, issued press release regarding IT framework to combat harmful online content, CSAM, and AI-generated misuse under IT Act and IT Rules.
The Government of India has reinforced its commitment to ensuring a safe, open, and accountable internet, particularly for protecting women and children. The Information Technology Act, 2000 along with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 provide a strong legal framework to tackle cyber offences, including identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations, and dissemination of obscene or sexually explicit content. Authorities have taken serious note of issues like child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on social media and initiated action through regulatory bodies and notices to intermediaries.
The IT Rules impose strict due diligence obligations on intermediaries, requiring them to prevent hosting or sharing harmful, obscene, or unlawful content. They must act swiftly—removing sensitive content such as nudity or morphed images within two hours of complaint, and unlawful content within three hours of government or court orders. Intermediaries are also required to report offences under applicable laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Recent amendments further address risks from AI-generated and deepfake content, mandating clear labelling, traceable metadata, and deployment of technical tools to detect and prevent misuse. Platforms must proactively identify harmful content, including CSAM and non-consensual imagery, and ensure stronger user accountability and awareness of legal consequences.
Additionally, the government has issued advisories and SOPs to strengthen compliance and moderation practices. These include guidelines to curb non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) and ensure prompt action by intermediaries and law enforcement. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in loss of legal protection under Section 79 of the IT Act and exposure to legal action.
[Release ID: 2287646]
