3 weeks ago
India Cuts Deepfake Takedown Deadline From 36 to 3 Hours
In India, there are new rules for apps and websites like Facebook and YouTube.
When someone posts something illegal, the platform now has to take it down within 3 hours of being told by the government or a court.
Before, it had up to 36 hours.
If the content is very serious, like fake pictures or pretending to be someone else, they have only 2 hours to act.
The rules also talk about deepfakes, which are pictures or videos made by computers that look real.
Now, platforms have to label this computer-made content so people can tell it is not real.
Big platforms with many users have to use special tools to find and stop bad content.
Platforms also have to answer user complaints much faster.
These rules are meant to keep people safe online and stop fake videos from tricking them.
India reduced the timeline for platforms to remove unlawful content from 36 hours to 3 hours after receiving a government or court notice.
For sensitive cases such as nudity or impersonation, the action timeline was cut from 24 hours to 2 hours.
AI-content labelling is now mandatory, requiring clear labels and traceable metadata so users can identify synthetic content.
Platforms with over 50 lakh users must deploy automated detection tools, publish compliance reports, and appoint grievance officers.
The announcement came amid a strong message sent to Meta and Mark Zuckerberg over the removal of a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Who
- The Government of India issued the new requirements; Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada shared details in Lok Sabha, and the rules apply to social media platforms, including Meta.
- What
- India amended the IT Rules, 2021 to cut timelines for removing unlawful content and made AI-content labelling mandatory to curb AI-generated deepfakes.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, applying to platforms operating in the country.
- When
- Announced in an official government statement on Thursday.
- Why
- To strengthen the digital regulatory framework and curb AI-generated deepfakes, and announced amid a strong message sent to Meta over the removal of a PM Modi video.
Key facts
- Unlawful content removal timeline
- Reduced from 36 hours to 3 hours after a government or court notice
- Sensitive cases (nudity, impersonation)
- Reduced from 24 hours to 2 hours
- Complaint resolution timeline
- Reduced from 72 hours to 36 hours
- AI content labelling
- Mandatory; clear labelling and traceable metadata required
- Automated detection requirement
- Mandatory for platforms with over 50 lakh users
- Regulatory framework
- Amendments to the IT Rules, 2021; IT Act, 2000 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023
- Deepfake detection projects
- Saakshya (IIT Jodhpur, IIT Madras), AI Vishleshak, and IIT Kharagpur real-time voice deepfake detection
- Related government portals
- SAHYOG Portal for automated removal notices; central appellate forum for user appeals
Quotes
Jitin Prasada
Minister of State, Electronics and Information Technology
“Grievance redressal deadlines have been cut from 24 hours to two hours for sensitive cases such as nudity or impersonation”
thehansindia.com
“Intermediaries are now required to take down unlawful information upon intimation within three hours instead of 36”
thehansindia.com











