Centre Warns Online Platforms to Remove Obscene and Illegal Content or Face Action
MeitY has instructed platforms to expeditiously remove or disable access to such content.
Centre Warns Online Platforms to Remove Obscene and Illegal Content or Face Action
On December 29, 2025, the Centre issued a strict advisory through the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) with a warning for online platforms, especially social media intermediaries. The advisory said to take immediate action against obscene and unlawful content or face legal consequences under Indian law.
According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the advisory reminded intermediaries that they are statutorily obligated under Section 79 of the IT Act to observe due diligence to retain liability protection for third-party content on their platforms.
MeitY noted that many platforms have not been acting strictly against obscene, vulgar, pornographic, paedophilic, indecent, harmful to children or otherwise unlawful content.
The government clarified that non-compliance with the IT Act and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, could lead to prosecution under the IT Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable criminal laws for intermediaries and their users.
MeitY has instructed platforms to expeditiously remove or disable access to such content within the timelines prescribed under the 2021 Rules, including the takedown of material depicting sexual acts or impersonations within 24 hours of a complaint.
The advisory also called for an immediate review of internal compliance frameworks, moderation practices and user enforcement mechanisms to ensure strict and continuous adherence to the IT Act and IT Rules.
Source: The Tribune