Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Guidelines on “Synthetic Media”
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has amended the IT Intermediary Rules, 2026 and introduced the rules with effect from February 20.
Platforms were required to label synthetic content such as deepfakes with clear disclosure, embed persistent identifiers, deploy automated detection tools, and ensure prompt removal of illegal AI-generated material.
It also requires warning users of legal implications, verifying the origin of content, and taking strict action against violators, including removing content, terminating accounts, preserving evidence, and disclosing user information to authorities if necessary.
The rules also state that social media platforms must remove or disable access to illegal content within three hours of receiving a court order or authorized government notification, shortening the previous 36-hour grace period.
talk to Akash Karmakar, a partner at law firm Panag & Babu, said it is “virtually impossible” for social media platforms to remove content within three hours, adding that the rules are not premised on the application of mind or real-world ability to assess compliance.
moreover, a news organization covering technology policy in India, has filed a Right to Information (RTI) request to find out whether MeitY consulted stakeholders before implementing the three-hour content removal rule. This was not part of the previous draft amendment.
