Centre May Expand Powers to Order Social Media Takedowns Across Multiple Ministries Under IT Act: Report

India's Content-Blocking Framework Under Review

The Indian government is considering a significant overhaul of its content-blocking framework, which could grant multiple ministries the authority to order social media platforms to remove content directly. The proposed changes aim to amend Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, currently managed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Under the proposed framework, ministries such as Home Affairs, External Affairs, Defence, and Information and Broadcasting would be authorized to issue blocking orders, expanding the powers currently held by MeitY. This move is driven by the surge in AI-generated misleading content online and the need for faster enforcement. The scope of the proposal could also include regulators like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which has raised concerns over the spread of misleading financial information by online influencers.

India operates two parallel systems for content takedowns: Section 69A, managed by MeitY, and Section 79(3)(b), where government agencies can directly flag and seek removal of content through mechanisms like the Sahyog portal. The proposed changes aim to "bring parity" between the two systems by decentralizing powers under Section 69A, allowing ministries and potentially other agencies to act independently without waiting for MeitY's approval.

Read also: Treasury Yields Experience Largest Increase in Two Weeks Following Release of Labor Market Data

The move comes as the Centre tightens timelines for content moderation, reducing the window for compliance from 24-36 hours to as little as 2-3 hours. This has raised concerns among users, with some arguing that even satirical or critical content is being taken down as companies step up compliance to avoid regulatory action.