Three-hour takedown, AI labelling: India’s new social media rules spark debate – BBC

Three-hour takedown, AI labelling: India’s new social media rules spark debate AFP via Getty Images India has taken several steps in recent years to tighten oversight of online speech India has introduced new rules that make it mandatory for social media companies to remove unlawful material within three hours of being notified, in a sharp tightening of the existing 36-hour deadline. The amended guidelines will take effect from 20 February and apply to major platforms including Meta, YouTube and X. They will also apply to AI-generated content. The government did not provide a reason for reducing the takedown window. But critics worry the move is part of a broader tightening of oversight of online content and could lead to censorship in the world’s largest democracy with more than a billion internet users In recent years, Indian authorities have used existing Information Technology rules to order social media platforms to remove content deemed illegal under laws dealing with national security and public order. Experts say they give authorities wide-ranging power over social media content. According to transparency reports, more than 28,000 URLs or web links were blocked in 2024 following government requests. The BBC has contacted the ministry of electronics and
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