India is considering a major policy shift to strengthen its response to harmful online content by expanding the authority to issue takedown orders beyond a single ministry. The move reflects growing concerns over misinformation, illegal content, and AI-generated deepfakes.
Currently, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) serves as the nodal authority for blocking online content. However, the government is now evaluating a broader framework to accelerate response times and improve enforcement.
Under the proposed plan, key ministries such as Defence, External Affairs, and Home Affairs may be authorised to directly issue takedown orders to social media platforms. This would enable faster action, particularly in sensitive or security-related cases.
Government sources indicate that inter-ministerial discussions are ongoing, although no clear timeline has been announced. The changes are expected to be implemented through amendments to existing IT Rules.
Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, already empowers the government to block access to online content in the interest of national security, sovereignty, and public order. The proposed expansion would decentralise this power for more agile decision-making.
Earlier this year, the government tightened regulations, mandating social media platforms to remove unlawful content within three hours and ensure clear labelling of AI-generated material. These measures aim to curb the misuse of AI in spreading deceptive and harmful content.
With deepfakes and synthetic media posing rising risks, the new framework places greater accountability on both platforms and AI developers. The move signals India’s intent to build a faster, more responsive digital governance model to safeguard users and maintain online trust.
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