In a landmark decision to bolster digital security, Home Minister Amit Shah has launched new amendments to the IT Rules, effective from February 20, 2026. The move targets the rising threat of Deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Rules:

• 3-Hour Takedown Window: Social media platforms must remove misleading AI content within 3 hours of notice, down from the previous 36-hour limit.
• Mandatory Labelling: Every AI-generated image, audio, or video must carry a permanent metadata tag and a visible label to inform users of its synthetic origin.
• Quarterly Warnings: Platforms are now required to warn users every 3 months about the legal consequences of sharing Deepfakes under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and POCSO Act.
• No Immunity: Failure to comply will lead to the loss of ‘Safe Harbor’ protection, making the platforms legally liable for the harmful content hosted on their sites.