India’s New Social Media Rule: Platforms Must Remove Content in 3 Hours

India Tightens Grip on Social Media: New Three-Hour Takedown Rule

The Indian government has introduced a stringent new regulation aimed at controlling the rapidly growing influence of social media platforms. Under this rule, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X must remove any illegal or objectionable content within three hours of receiving a government or court order. This rule will come into effect on 20 February 2026. Previously, platforms were given 36 hours to take down such content.

The new regulation also mandates that platforms clearly label any content generated or altered by artificial intelligence, such as deepfake videos, AI-generated audio, or manipulated images. Additionally, such content must include persistent metadata or identifiers to trace its origin. Once a label is applied, it cannot be removed or altered. Social media companies are also required to implement automated monitoring systems to enforce these rules.

India’s journey of regulating social media is not new. The Information Technology Act of 2000 laid the foundation, followed by intermediary guidelines in 2011, which were further strengthened in 2021. These laws already empowered the government to remove content violating national security, public order, or legal standards. Thousands of social media posts and accounts have already been restricted or blocked under previous directives, reflecting the government’s growing oversight over digital platforms.

According to officials, the three-hour limit is necessary to address the current challenges posed by rapid digital content spread. The misuse of AI and deepfake technology has significantly increased the circulation of misleading or false information. If not removed promptly, such content can threaten public safety, political stability, and national security, which is why immediate action has been made legally mandatory.

Social media companies have responded cautiously to the new rule. While no official opposition has been announced, experts note that removing content within three hours is a major operational challenge, particularly in cases requiring human review and context analysis. Critics warn that this could push platforms toward automated censorship, which may inadvertently block legitimate journalistic, research, or critical content.

Digital rights organizations and free speech advocates have expressed serious concerns. They argue that the strict three-hour requirement risks undermining freedom of expression online. There are fears that dissenting opinions could be suppressed, and state control over digital content could increase significantly.

Statistics indicate that India has over 1 billion internet users, with approximately 500 million active social media users. In such a vast digital landscape, the new regulation will impact not only tech companies but also ordinary users. While the government frames it as a measure to secure the digital ecosystem, critics see it as a significant test for online freedom of expression. The real effects will become clear after the regulation is enforced on 20 February 2026.