Government amends IT Rules to mandate three-hour removal of unlawful AI content
The Indian government has amended the Information Technology Rules, 2021, to tighten regulations on digital content. Social media platforms and intermediaries are now required to remove unlawful content, including AI-generated material and deepfakes, within three hours of receiving a valid order from a court or government authority. This replaces the previous 36-hour window. Additionally, the new regulations mandate that AI-generated content must be clearly labelled to help users identify synthetic media, aiming to curb the spread of misinformation and enhance digital safety.
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What Happened
The Indian government notified amendments to the Information Technology Rules, 2021, on February 10, 2026. These changes significantly reduce the time allowed for social media platforms and intermediaries to remove unlawful content from 36 hours to three hours following a valid, reasoned intimation from a government authority or a court order. The updated framework also introduces mandatory labelling requirements for AI-generated content, including audio, video, and text.
The regulatory shift is designed to address risks associated with synthetically generated information, such as deepfakes and AI-driven misinformation. By tightening compliance timelines and requiring clear identification of synthetic media, the government aims to strengthen the digital regulatory framework and improve user safety against harms arising from AI-generated content.
Key Facts
- The deadline for removing unlawful content has been reduced from 36 hours to three hours.
- The new rules apply to social media platforms and digital intermediaries.
- Amendments were notified on February 10, 2026.
- AI-generated content must now carry mandatory labels.
- The regulations target deepfakes and other forms of harmful synthetic media.
The Timeline4
Every article on this story, in the order it was filed. We do not rank the outlets.
6 Aug
7 Aug
- Nanamasthe-telanganaచట్టవ్యతిరేక ఏఐ కంటెంట్ను 3 గంటల్లో తొలగించాలి
Where This Is Being Covered3 languages
Languages
Newsrooms carrying this story, by publication language.
- English2 outlets
- Teluguతెలుగు1 outlet
- Malayalamമലയാളം1 outlet
Regional reach
States where a local newsroom is carrying this. National mastheads and wire agencies circulate everywhere and are counted separately, not drawn on the map.
- No local newsroom
- 1 outlet
- 2 or more
3 states with local coverage. Concentrated in the South. Also carried by 1 national masthead.
About This Analysis
One summary, built from every source. No single newsroom's voice.
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Paksh: the sides a story is told from. 4 newsrooms filed on this one, and every filing is listed above.