The Government of India has proposed new rules to regulate news and political content shared on social media. The move could expand government oversight to include influencers, podcasters, and ordinary users.
While officials say the changes aim to curb harmful content, critics warn they could threaten free expression online.
inistry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) proposed amendments to India’s IT rules.
These rules already regulate digital news publishers. However, the new proposal will also cover individuals who share news and current affairs content online.
As a result, influencers and independent creators on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X may face stricter oversight.
What the Proposed Changes Mean
Under the proposal, social media platforms must follow government orders to keep their “safe harbour” protection. This legal shield protects platforms from liability for user-generated content.
However, failure to comply could expose companies to legal risks. Therefore, platforms may feel pressured to remove content quickly, even in unclear cases.
In addition, the government wants all news-related content to follow a common “code of ethics,” even when shared by non-journalists.
Critics say the proposed rules could expand government control over online speech. They warn that the changes may lead to censorship and reduce space for independent voices.
For example, Akash Banerjee said the rules could create fear among creators. According to him, many may begin to censor themselves to avoid penalties.
He also argued that existing laws have not reduced fake news. Instead, he claims that critical or satirical posts increasingly face removal.
Meanwhile, recent actions have raised further concerns. Last month, X blocked several accounts following government orders.
One affected user, Kumar Nayan, said authorities gave no prior notice or explanation. Although a court later restored his account, several posts remain blocked.
He noted that most of the posts criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Digital rights activists say the amendments could strengthen existing systems of content control.
Nikhil Pahwa argued that earlier changes to IT rules have already expanded government powers.
He pointed to tools like the Sahyog portal, which allows agencies to issue takedown requests. Critics say such systems lack transparency and limit accountability.
In addition, recent changes reduced the time for platforms to comply with blocking orders from 36 hours to just three hours. This leaves little room for legal review.
However, the government insists the changes are necessary. Officials say online news now comes from many sources, not just traditional media.
MeitY Secretary S Krishnan said a common framework is needed to regulate this growing space.
Authorities also argue that the rules will help tackle fake news, hate speech, and deepfakes.
Despite these assurances, critics remain sceptical. Many believe the rules could be used to silence dissent and target critics.
The government has invited public feedback on the proposal until April 14. Therefore, debate over the future of online speech in India is likely to continue.
