The Government of India has directed social media platforms to remove unlawful and harmful content within three hours of receiving official notice. The new rule, notified on February 10, 2026, significantly reduces the earlier 36-hour compliance window under the IT Rules, 2021. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X must act swiftly on flagged posts involving illegal, misleading, sexually exploitative, or non-consensual content. Failure to comply could result in the loss of safe harbour protection, exposing companies to legal action under Indian law.
The revised framework also mandates clear labeling of AI-generated and synthetic media, reflecting growing concerns over deepfakes and online misinformation. While the government says the move is aimed at strengthening user safety and curbing the rapid spread of harmful material, digital rights advocates caution that the shortened timeline may lead to excessive content removal and impact free speech. The decision marks a significant escalation in India’s digital governance strategy, placing increased accountability on global tech giants operating in one of the world’s largest online markets.
