India: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) opened consultation on draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules addressing synthetically generated information

On 22 October 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) opened a consultation on the draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules until 6 November 2025. The draft rules expand the definition of “information” to include synthetically generated information, defined as content artificially created or modified using computer resources to appear authentic. The draft rules would mandate visible labelling, metadata embedding, and traceability for all public-facing synthetically generated content. This involves ensuring that a permanent, unique metadata or identifier is visibly displayed or audibly present on or within the synthetic content, covering at least 10% of a visual display or 10% of audio duration. Intermediaries offering computer resources for creating or modifying such information must not alter or remove these labels. Furthermore, the amendments heighten due diligence obligations for intermediaries, particularly social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries (SSMIs). SSMIs will be required to obtain a user declaration regarding whether uploaded information is synthetically generated and deploy reasonable technical measures to verify these declarations. They must also ensure the labelling of content. These obligations apply to content displayed or published through their platforms, not to private material. The amendments also provide statutory protection for intermediaries that remove or disable access to harmful synthetic content based on reasonable efforts or user grievances.