These shifts underline India’s push for tighter online control, testing platforms’ ability to comply without stifling free expression
India has introduced stricter rules for social media platforms, demanding they remove illegal posts within three hours of a government notice.
This sharpens an earlier 36-hour deadline set in the 2021 IT rules, which have long sparked tension between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration and tech giants like Meta, YouTube, and X. The updated measures kick in on 20 February.
With over one billion internet users, India is ramping up its role as a tough overseer of online content. Platforms now face a tough balancing act: follow local laws amid fears of censorship, or risk penalties in a massive market. The government hasn’t explained why it slashed the timeline, but it builds on years of efforts to curb online speech. Officials have gained broad powers to flag content linked to national security or public order, issuing thousands of takedown requests annually.
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Tech experts call the three-hour window unrealistic
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Vir Vijay, an IT expert, said the rule ignores real-world hurdles like reviewing complaints and acting swiftly
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Platforms such as Meta blocked over 28,000 items in India during the first half of 2025 alone, based on official demands
Critics, including digital rights groups and anonymous industry voices, argue the rules bypassed proper talks and clash with global norms that allow more time.
Past rows, like those with Elon Musk’s X, highlight ongoing friction. Meanwhile, worldwide pressure grows—from Europe to Brazil—for quicker content policing.
In a small win for tech firms, the rules softened a plan to plaster AI-generated content with huge labels. Instead, such material must now carry clear markings.
