The government has taken a historic and extremely strict step to ensure a safe and accountable digital space in the country. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued new guidelines for social media platforms. Now, if any objectionable, illegal, or sensitive content appears on their platform, it will be mandatory to remove it within three hours of receiving the information. Previously, companies had 24 to 36 hours to do this, but this timeframe has now expired.
Government’s Rationale: Why was this drastic decision taken?
The government clearly believes that in today’s digital age, any deepfake or misleading video can spread like wildfire, reaching millions of people within minutes. The rapid spread of such content poses a significant threat to a person’s reputation, social harmony, and the country’s public safety. The government states that this new three-hour deadline will be extremely effective in curbing content at its earliest stage. The government is keeping a special eye on deepfakes and misleading content created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These things will be punished: This content must be removed immediately.
The government has made it clear that the following categories of content must be removed within three hours, otherwise the platforms will face serious consequences:
Fake videos and images: Content that deliberately damages a person’s image.
Children’s objectionable material (CSAM): There will be a zero-tolerance policy for any type of content related to child sexual abuse.
Violation of privacy: Personal or pornographic photos and videos shared without consent.
Threat to security and peace: Misleading news that has the potential to undermine the country’s sovereignty or law and order.
The government has taken a historic and extremely strict step to ensure a safe and accountable digital space in the country. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued new guidelines for social media platforms. Now, if any objectionable, illegal, or sensitive content appears on their platform, it will be mandatory to remove it within three hours of receiving the information. Previously, companies had 24 to 36 hours to do this, but this timeframe has now expired.
Government’s Rationale: Why was this drastic decision taken?
The government clearly believes that in today’s digital age, any deepfake or misleading video can spread like wildfire, reaching millions of people within minutes. The rapid spread of such content poses a significant threat to a person’s reputation, social harmony, and the country’s public safety. The government states that this new three-hour deadline will be extremely effective in curbing content at its earliest stage. The government is keeping a special eye on deepfakes and misleading content created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These will be punished: This content must be removed immediately.
The government has made it clear that the following categories of content must be removed within 3 hours, or the platforms will face serious consequences:
Fake videos and images: Content that deliberately harms a person’s image.
Children’s Obscene Material (CSAM): There will be a zero-tolerance policy for any type of content related to child sexual abuse.
Violation of privacy: Personal or pornographic photos and videos shared without consent.
Threat to security and peace: Misleading news that has the potential to undermine the sovereignty of the country or law and order.
Violation of rules will result in significant losses and loss of legal protection.
The government has issued a stern warning to social media companies. If a platform fails to comply with the 3-hour deadline, it will lose the legal protection of ‘Safe Harbor’ under Section 79 of the IT Act. This essentially means that companies in such situations will no longer be merely “intermediaries,” but will be held directly responsible for the content. Consequently, the companies involved could face serious legal and criminal action.
If rules are broken, huge loss will be incurred, legal shield will be snatched away
The government has given a strict warning to social media companies. If a platform fails to comply with the three-hour deadline, it will lose the legal protection of “Safe Harbor” under Section 79 of the IT Act. This means that in such a situation, companies will no longer be merely intermediaries but will be held directly responsible for the content. Consequently, the companies involved could face severe legal and criminal action.