India on Monday unveiled proposed changes to its Information Technology law that would make government advisories and clarifications legally binding for major internet platforms, including Meta, Google, and X. This move marks the latest step in a series of measures aimed at tightening compliance requirements for global tech companies operating in the country.
Under the current framework, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issues advisories on issues such as deepfake labeling and content takedown procedures, but these guidelines carry no formal legal consequences. The proposed rules would change that, treating non-compliance with such advisories as a violation of the conditions for safe harbour protections, which currently shield platforms from liability for user-generated content.
The government has already accelerated its regulatory timeline this year, reducing the period for platforms to remove flagged content from 36 hours to just three hours. New obligations have also been introduced regarding AI-generated content and deepfakes. According to the ministry, the proposed changes aim to “strengthen enforceability” and “improve legal certainty” for both platforms and users. Public feedback on the proposals is being invited until April 14.
Meta, Google, and X did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The proposals signal a significant shift in India’s approach to digital regulation, potentially holding global tech giants directly accountable for compliance with government directives.
