Overview
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory on 8 October 2026 asking social‑media platforms to curb "manipulated or out‑of‑context" material. The move builds on earlier amendments to the IT Rules, 2021. The advisory comes just before a protest planned by the CJP and follows a viral deep‑fake video involving Telugu film stars.
Key Developments
- Platforms must exercise "enhanced diligence" to identify and remove false, misleading, or out‑of‑context posts.
- Special attention is required for old photographs or videos presented as current events.
- Complaints from authorised government agencies must be prioritised.
- Non‑compliance timelines have been reduced to 1‑3 hours under the 2021 amendment.
Important Facts
- The advisory warns that manipulated content can disturb public order, create apprehension, and affect social tranquillity.
- Under the Section 69(A) of the IT Act, ministries can forward takedown notices to the IT Ministry.
- Most takedowns are currently executed under Section 79(3)(b), which does not obligate removal but platforms often comply automatically.
- Meta’s Instagram and Facebook have faced criticism for swift removals following such notices.
- The protest seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the evolving regulatory framework for digital media is essential for GS2 (Polity) and GS4 (Ethics & Technology). The advisory illustrates how the government balances freedom of expression with public order, a recurring theme in ethics and governance questions. Knowledge of specific legal provisions like Section 69(A) and Section 79(3)(b) helps answer questions on digital governance and intermediary liability.
Way Forward
- Social‑media firms should develop robust AI tools to detect deepfake and out‑of‑context content.
- Clear labelling mechanisms for AI‑generated imagery must be standardized as per the IT Rules.
- Regular coordination between platforms and authorised agencies can ensure timely compliance without over‑reach.
- For aspirants, tracking such policy updates helps in answering current affairs, ethics, and governance questions in the UPSC exam.