Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2026 | 12 Feb 2026

Source: TH 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, amending the 2021 Rules under the IT Act, 2000. 

• Effective from the 20th February 2026, the new framework tightens norms for synthetic media and content removal. 
• Drastic Reduction in Takedown Timelines: Social media platforms must now remove content deemed illegal by a court or "appropriate government" within 3 hours (reduced from the earlier 24-36 hour window). 
  • Sensitive content, specifically non-consensual nudity and deepfakes, must be taken down within 2 hours of reporting. 
• Definition of "Synthetic" Content: The rules define synthetic content as audio-visual information created or altered algorithmically that appears "indistinguishable from a natural person or real-world event." 
  • A specific exemption is provided for minor touch-ups automatically performed by smartphone cameras, ensuring everyday photo enhancements are not penalized. 
• Mandatory Disclosure and Labeling: The rules mandate that AI-generated imagery be labelled “prominently.” 
  • Platforms must seek disclosures from users if their content is AI-generated. 
  • If a user fails to disclose, the platform is obligated to either proactively label the content "prominently" or take it down (specifically in cases of non-consensual deepfakes). 
• Loss of Safe Harbour: Failure to comply with these rules puts the intermediary’s Safe Harbour protection at risk (immunity from legal liability for third-party content under Section 79 of the IT Act). 
  • Intermediaries that knowingly permit, promote, or fail to act on violative synthetic content will be deemed to have failed "due diligence." 
• Administrative Flexibility for States: States can designate multiple authorised officers for issuing takedown orders.