Archive · 12 Nov 2025
MeitY Issues SOP for Swift Removal of Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery
Imagine someone shares private pictures of you online without your permission.
This is called NCII, and it's a big problem.
The Indian government's tech ministry (MeitY) has created a new set of rules, called an SOP, to help stop this.
These rules tell websites and apps that if they get a complaint about such pictures, they must take them down within one day.
They also have to use special technology to stop the same or similar pictures from being uploaded again.
If a picture needs to be blocked completely, the internet companies will help with that.
The government wants everyone, including websites, police, and people, to work together.
This is a big step to make the internet safer for everyone, especially women, and to give people more control over their online lives.
MeitY has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to combat the spread of Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) online.
Digital platforms are mandated to remove reported NCII content within 24 hours.
Supervised Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) must use hash-matching and crawler technologies to prevent content re-uploading.
The SOP establishes inter-agency coordination involving MeitY, MHA's I4C, and DoT with ISPs for complaint aggregation and URL blocking.
This initiative aims to protect digital dignity, empower victims, and create a safer online environment, particularly for women.
- Who
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- What
- Issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to curb the dissemination of Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) content
- When
- The SOP mandates action within 24 hours of complaint; it follows a Madras High Court order dated 15.07.2025.
- Where
- Online platforms in India
- Why
- To safeguard digital dignity and privacy, ensure victim-centric redressal, and implement Rule 3(2)(b) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
MeitY's SOP
Existing Digital Safety Landscape
Content Removal Timeline
MeitY's SOP
Mandates intermediaries to remove or disable access to Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.
Existing Digital Safety Landscape
The SOP aims to standardize and expedite this process, which may have previously lacked uniform timelines and promptness.
Technological Measures
MeitY's SOP
Requires Supervised Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) to use hash-matching and crawler technologies to prevent re-uploading of NCII.
Existing Digital Safety Landscape
This is a proactive measure to combat repeat offenses, going beyond simple removal of reported content.
Inter-Agency Coordination
MeitY's SOP
Establishes a clear coordination framework involving MeitY, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under MHA, and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) with ISPs.
Existing Digital Safety Landscape
This structured approach streamlines the complaint handling and blocking process, ensuring a unified effort.
- Issuing Ministry
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- SOP Purpose
- To curb the dissemination of Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) content
- Mandatory Removal Timeline
- Within 24 hours of receiving a complaint
- Required Technologies for SSMIs
- Hash-matching and crawler technologies
- Central Aggregator for Complaints
- Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs
- Role of Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- Works with Internet Service Providers to block flagged URLs
- Legal Basis
- Madras High Court directives and Rule 3(2)(b) of IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
