IT Rules Cut Unlawful Content Removal Deadline to 3 Hours

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 on 10 February 2026. The amended framework reduced the time limit for intermediaries to remove unlawful content from 36 hours to 3 hours after receiving a valid court order or government notice.

Intermediary Rules under the IT Act

The Information Technology Act, 2000 provides the legal basis for intermediary liability in India. Section 79 of the Act grants safe-harbour protection to intermediaries when they follow due diligence and comply with lawful directions. Intermediaries include social media platforms, internet service providers, and online marketplaces.

Key Compliance Timelines

The amended rules also reduced the time limit for action on sensitive user grievances, including nudity and impersonation, from 24 hours to 2 hours. The standard time limit for intermediaries to resolve general user complaints was reduced from 72 hours to 36 hours. The rules came into force on 20 February 2026 across India. The framework applies to valid notices issued by a court or by the government under the applicable legal process.

Definition of Synthetically Generated Information

The 2026 amendment rules introduced the legal definition of “Synthetically Generated Information” for the first time. The rules require intermediaries to ensure that AI-generated content carries prominent labels and traceable metadata.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Information Technology Act, 2000 is the principal law governing electronic records, digital signatures, and intermediary liability in India.
• Section 79 of the IT Act is linked with safe-harbour protection for intermediaries that follow prescribed due diligence.
• Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules were first notified in 2021 under the IT Act framework.
• Deepfakes are synthetic media created using artificial intelligence techniques such as generative models and face-swapping tools.

Industry and Regulatory Context

Nasscom is an Indian industry body representing the technology sector and digital enterprises. The amended rules place compliance obligations on platforms that host user-generated content and process takedown notices. The Press Information Bureau is the Government of India’s official public communication agency. The 2026 update linked the amended rules with measures against AI-generated deepfakes and unlawful online content.