India, Oct. 23 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025 to amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 ("IT Rules, 2021"). These amendments strengthen the framework of due diligence obligations of intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000 ("IT Act"). Specifically, the amendments to Rule 3(1)(d) introduce additional safeguards to ensure that removal of unlawful content by intermediaries is carried out in a transparent, proportionate and accountable manner. The amended Rules will come into effect from 15th November, 2025.
Background
The IT Rules, 2021 were originally notified on 25th February, 2021 and subsequently amended on 28th October, 2022 and 6th April, 2023. They prescribe due diligence obligations on intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, with the objective of ensuring online safety, security and accountability.
Under Rule 3(1)(d), intermediaries are required to remove unlawful information upon receiving actual knowledge either through a court order or notification from the Appropriate Government.
The review undertaken by MeitY highlighted the need for additional safeguards to ensure senior-level accountability, precise specification of unlawful content, and periodic review of government directions at higher level.
Key Features of the Amendments
Expected Impact
For details, please refer to the Gazette Notification and the consolidated IT Rules, 2021 as amended up to October 2025, available on https://egazette.gov.in : / the MeitY website: https://www.meity.gov.in/
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
