News Brief
Government Tightens Online Content Takedown Rules, Adds Senior-Level Oversight
IT Rules amended to tighten online content takedown (Representative image)
The Centre has notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, introducing a new framework aimed at ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and proportionality in the removal of unlawful online content by intermediaries.
The changes, notified by Ministry of Electronics and IT as part of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025, will take effect from 15 November 2025, and focus on strengthening due diligence obligations for intermediaries under the IT Act, 2000.
Key Changes
Under the revised Rule 3(1)(d), only senior officials — at least of Joint Secretary rank or higher — can now issue content takedown directions.
In police departments, this authority rests with officers not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
All such directives must be “reasoned intimations” — clearly citing the legal basis, the specific nature of the violation, and the exact URL or identifier of the unlawful content.
This move replaces vague “notifications” with detailed, verifiable instructions, aligning with the IT Act’s Section 79(3)(b) requirement of “actual knowledge”.
Balancing Rights and Regulation
According to MeitY, the amendments aim to strike a balance between citizens’ constitutional rights and the legitimate regulatory powers of the State, ensuring that enforcement actions are transparent and do not lead to arbitrary restrictions.
Expected Impact
Transparency and Accountability: Clear guidelines on who can issue directions and how, with periodic review, ensures checks and balances.
Clarity for Intermediaries: By mandating detailed and reasoned intimations, intermediaries will have better guidance to act in compliance with law.
Safeguards and Proportionality: The reforms ensure proportionality and uphold the principles of natural justice while reinforcing lawful restrictions under the IT Act, 2000.
