India’s new IT rules 2026: What the 3-hour takedown deadline means for social media and AI
The Union government has directed social media platforms to remove content flagged by authorities within three hours reducing the earlier deadline of 36 hours. This is focused at controlling illegal and misleading content online, especially material created using artificial intelligence. The new deadline will come into effect from February 20, 2026, after amendments to the Information Technology rules were formally notified.
