The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is set to extend the deadline for public comments on its proposed amendments to the IT Rules that introduce powers to take down social media posts related to news and current affairs.
The ministry had floated the draft on March 30, giving stakeholders 15 days to respond, with the deadline ending on April 14.
Clarifying the intent behind the proposal, MeitY said, “We have only introduced a clarification to give power to MIB (Ministry of Information & Broadcasting) to decide on content related to news, current affairs.”
The ministry also said the move comes after industry sought clarity on the status of advisories. “Industry has asked for clarity if the advisories need to be followed; through rules we have clarified that advisories are now mandated,” it added.
The development follows consultations with stakeholders, including social media companies and think tanks. MeitY has already hosted meetings to gather feedback on the proposed changes.
The ministry is also considering tweaks to the draft rules, including procedural safeguards, defining the role of social media platforms, and the possibility of public consultation before advisories are issued.
Also read: Draft IT amendments risk over-censorship, over-compliance, say experts
Earlier this year, the government also brought AI-generated content under the ambit of India’s IT Rules, mandating strict compliance for platforms. “Synthetic media,” or content mimicking real people or events, must now carry prominent, non-removable labels with traceable identifiers.
Platforms must verify user disclosures on AI content and cannot allow removal of such tags.
Meanwhile, takedown timelines have been sharply reduced — unlawful content must be removed within three hours, while non-consensual intimate imagery must go within two hours.
