8 months ago
India Warns Social Media on Obscene Content
The Indian government has warned social media platforms to be more careful about the content they allow.
They should not let any content that is rude, inappropriate, or illegal.
The government wants these platforms to check their rules and make sure they follow the laws about what can and cannot be shared online.
If they don't, they might face legal consequences.
The government has asked these platforms to remove any bad content quickly, especially if it involves children or is sexually explicit.
They have to do this within 24 hours if someone complains.
The government says they keep getting complaints about bad content, so they want the platforms to take action.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT issued an advisory to online platforms to remove obscene, vulgar, pornographic, paedophilic, and other unlawful content.
Platforms are directed to review their internal compliance frameworks and content moderation practices immediately.
The advisory highlights concerns about non-compliance with the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021.
Non-compliance may result in prosecution under the IT Act, BNS, and other applicable criminal laws.
Platforms must remove or disable access to unlawful content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint for certain content types.
- Who
- Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
- What
- Advisory to online platforms to remove obscene and unlawful content
- Where
- India
- When
- December 29, 2025
- Why
- Concerns about non-compliance with IT Act and IT Rules, 2021
Government
Social Media Platforms
Content Moderation Responsibility
Government
Social media platforms must strictly enforce content moderation to remove obscene, vulgar, and illegal content.
Social Media Platforms
Platforms may argue that they are doing their best to moderate content but face challenges due to the sheer volume of data.
Legal Compliance
Government
Platforms must comply with the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021, to avoid legal consequences.
Social Media Platforms
Platforms may seek more clarity and support from the government to effectively comply with the regulations.
Key facts
- Advisory Issuer
- Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
- Target Platforms
- Social media and other online intermediaries
- Content Restrictions
- Obscene, vulgar, pornographic, paedophilic, and other unlawful content
- Action Required
- Review internal compliance frameworks and remove unlawful content
- Legal Basis
- IT Act and IT Rules, 2021
- Consequences
- Prosecution under IT Act, BNS, and other applicable criminal laws
- Timeline for Removal
- Within 24 hours for certain content types
Timeline
India widens 'obscene' content definition, targets criticism, truths.
Platforms ordered to remove offending content within 24 hours, or face law.
Quotes
Government Advisory
The official advisory issued by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity)
“Intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, are reminded that they are statutorily obligated under Section 79 of the IT Act to observe due diligence as a condition for availing exemption from liability in respect of third-party information uploaded, published, hosted, shared, or transmitted on or through their platforms.”
livemint.com
“It is reiterated that non-compliance with the provisions of the IT Act and/or the IT Rules, 2021, may result in consequences, including prosecution under the IT Act, BNS, and other applicable criminal laws, against the intermediaries, platforms, and their users.”
livemint.com
Sources
Act on obscene, unlawful content or face consequences: Govt’s warning to online platforms
Don’t host obscene, vulgar content on online platforms: Centre to tech companies
‘Act Or Face Action’: Centre Warns Social Media Firms Against Obscene, Unlawful Content
Social Media Crackdown: Indian Government Issues Strict Warning To Facebook, Instagram And Other Apps Over Vulgar Content
Centre issues warning to social media platforms over obscene and vulgar content
Fix ‘below par’ sexual content moderation or face action, govt tells social media platforms
Centre warns online platforms to act on obscene, unlawful content, or face consequences
