India Tightens AI Deepfake Rules, Cuts Removal Deadline to Three Hours

The Story in Brief

The Centre has tightened requirements for social media platforms over AI-generated audio, video and text, including deepfakes. The Times of India reports that platforms must label permitted synthetic content, retain traceable metadata and remove unlawful material within three hours of a valid government or court notice, against 36 hours earlier. Complaints involving nudity and impersonation must be handled within two hours. Non-compliance can cost platforms their safe-harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.

India Today reports that MeitY also discussed platform accountability with Meta and proposed similar amendments for public consultation after an erroneous removal of a Prime Minister’s video. The outlets differ on whether the three-hour rule is already enacted or remains proposed.

The Indian Opinion

The lazy claim that these rules either make the internet safe overnight or amount to blanket censorship misses the real test. Faster takedowns can protect victims of impersonation and sexual abuse, but government notices and automated detection also need clear safeguards against wrongful removal. Platforms should publish how often content is flagged, restored and challenged. The first useful measure will be the number of valid notices completed within three hours without a rise in unjustified takedowns.

Sources (3): indiatvnews.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, indiatoday.in

This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.

Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.

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