New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025, revising the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The amendments, which come into effect from 1 November 2025, enhance the due diligence framework for intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000, particularly through changes made to Rule 3(1)(d).
The latest amendments introduce additional safeguards to ensure that the removal of unlawful content by intermediaries, such as social media platforms, is conducted in a transparent, proportionate and accountable manner. MeitY’s review found the need for stronger provisions ensuring senior-level authorisation, clear specification of unlawful content and periodic oversight of government directions.
Under the amended rules, any intimation to intermediaries for the removal of unlawful content can now only be issued by a senior officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary or equivalent. Where such a rank is not available, the order can be issued by a Director or equivalent officer, or an authorised officer from a designated agency. In the case of police authorities, only a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) or above, specifically authorised, may issue such directions.
Each intimation must also now be a reasoned communication, clearly outlining the legal basis, statutory provisions invoked, the nature of the unlawful act and the specific URL or electronic identifier of the content to be taken down. This replaces the earlier, broader reference to ‘notifications’, aligning the provision with the “actual knowledge” requirement under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.
To ensure continuing oversight, all such intimations will be subject to a monthly review by an officer not below the rank of Secretary of the appropriate government, ensuring the directions remain necessary, proportionate and consistent with the law.
According to MeitY, the amendments aim to balance citizens’ constitutional rights with the State’s regulatory responsibilities, ensuring that enforcement measures do not result in arbitrary restrictions. The reforms are expected to provide greater transparency and accountability, offer clarity for intermediaries in complying with legal directions and reinforce proportionality and due process under the IT Act.
Commenting on the proposed developments, Raja Lahiri, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, said:
“Based on initial understanding, it appears that the following are being proposed: New Rules cover amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. This requires Social Media Platforms to label AI-generated content with markers covering at least 10 per cent of the surface area of a visual display or the initial 10 per cent of the duration of an audio clip, placing more responsibilities on social media platforms like Meta, X, Google, etc.
“Social media companies will also have to obtain a user declaration on whether uploaded information is AI-generated, and deploy reasonable technical measures to ensure checks and balances. There is an increasing trend in AI deepfake attacks that clone someone’s voice, appearance or otherwise and given the 1 billion Internet users in India, this is concerning and could have widespread ramifications. Therefore, the proposed changes are welcome and much needed for India and would require proper due diligence by the social media companies on their content.”
Given this change, social media firms will have to initiate appropriate processes and controls to monitor Deepfakes and ensure better protection for Indian citizens. In my view, the proposed amendments to the IT Rules provide TRUST and SAFETY for internet users in India, and ensure navigating the risks of deep-fakes and AI-generated content, which could pose risks to Indian citizens.”
Akshay Garkel, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, said:
“The government’s proposed amendment to the 2021 IT Rules, which asks platforms to label AI-generated and deepfake content, is a timely and necessary move. Deepfakes are getting worryingly convincing – they can twist facts, impersonate people and spread falsehoods fast. It’s good to see the government and law enforcement taking the issue seriously and acting to curb this menace”.
He further noted that while regulatory measures are important, “people remain the weakest link; social engineering and careless sharing are what attackers exploit most. Practical steps such as avoiding unverified apps and wallets, uninstalling stray apps, keeping devices patched and malware definitions updated, and verifying sensational content from trusted sources will help a lot. Alongside training and awareness, these simple habits can protect trust, authenticity and safety across India’s digital ecosystem”.
