Now Reading: Centre sets three-hour deadline for unlawful online content removal
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Centre sets three-hour deadline for unlawful online content removal
The Centre has set a three-hour deadline for online intermediaries to remove unlawful content after a valid government communication or court order, including deepfakes and child sexual abuse material. The rules also…
The Story in Brief
The Centre has set a three-hour deadline for online intermediaries to remove unlawful content after a valid government communication or court order, including deepfakes and child sexual abuse material. The rules also require faster grievance handling, with sensitive complaints such as nudity and impersonation to be addressed within two hours. The framework involves the Women and Child Development, Electronics and Information Technology, and Home Affairs ministries, under the POCSO and Information Technology Acts.
The New Indian Express reports that these provisions are proposed amendments open for consultation, while Times Now, citing an official statement, says the IT Rules were amended on February 10, 2026. Platforms with more than 50 lakh users must deploy technical measures to identify specified harmful content. The government also cited 6,650 awareness workshops reaching over 11.37 lakh people.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that a shorter deadline alone will make the internet safe are as overstated as arguments that regulation automatically means censorship. The real test is whether platforms can act quickly without removing lawful speech, explain decisions and protect victims. Public reporting should show takedown rates, wrongful removals, prosecutions and support for affected children. Will the government publish these figures after the rules take effect?
Sources (3): economictimes.indiatimes.com, newindianexpress.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
