Polity & Governance GS 2 In the news 8 times

IT Rules, 2021

Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules were notified in 2021 under the Information Technology Act, 2000 to regulate social media intermediaries, digital news platforms, and OTT content. They replaced the 2011 Intermediary Guidelines and introduced due-diligence obligations intermediaries must follow to retain legal protection.

Key details

Framed under Section 87 (rule-making power) read with Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000
Classify intermediaries into general "intermediaries" and "Significant Social Media Intermediaries" (SSMIs) — platforms with 50 lakh (5 million) or more registered users in India, which face enhanced obligations (grievance officer, compliance officer, nodal officer, monthly compliance reports, traceability of first originator for messaging apps)
The 2026 amendment adds "Synthetically Generated Information" as a distinct regulated category, with mandatory labelling covering roughly 10% of the visual surface of an image or a stated portion of audio/video duration, plus embedded metadata for provenance
Compliance timelines were tightened across the board — most notably the removal window for unlawful content (via court/government order) cut from 36 hours to about 3 hours

In the news

● Tracked since March 10, 2026 · last seen August 06, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

06 Aug '26

Government Tightens IT Rules on AI-Generated Content: 3-Hour Takedown, Mandatory Labelling

Science & Technology

14 Jul '26

Delhi High Court Directs Takedown Action on Personality Rights Complaint: IT Rules 2021 and the Right to Publicity

Polity & Governance

22 May '26

IT Rules 2021 Amendments Set to Expand Digital Oversight to Ordinary Social Media Users

Polity & Governance

27 Apr '26