The Government of India has taken a decisive step toward digital safety by notifying the ‘IT Amendment Rules 2026’. Aimed at curbing the menace of deepfakes and misleading AI-generated content, these rules will come into effect across the nation on February 20, 2026. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has placed a heavy burden of accountability on social media giants and digital creators.

Strict 3-Hour Takedown Window: In a significant move, the government has slashed the takedown timeline for misleading AI content from 36 hours to just 3 hours. This strict deadline is designed to halt the spread of misinformation during its initial viral phase. Content related to sexual exploitation, impersonation, or social unrest must be removed immediately upon being flagged by authorities.

Mandatory Labeling and Loss of Safe Harbor: Under the new regime, all AI-generated images, videos, and audio must carry clear labels and permanent metadata to identify their origin. Platforms are now required to obtain user declarations for AI content and verify them using automated tools. Failure to comply will result in the loss of ‘Safe Harbor’ protection under Section 79 of the IT Act. This means platforms will no longer be immune to prosecution for illegal content posted by users and could face direct legal consequences. These regulations mark a pivotal shift in India’s digital governance, ensuring that the AI era is governed by transparency and security.