India: Bill amending Information Technology Act (No. 16 of 2025) to include provisions criminalising online harassment and deepfakes, including content moderation authority governance was introduced to Council of States

On 5 December 2025, the Bill amending the Information Technology Act, 2000 to include provisions criminalising online harassment and deepfakes was introduced to the Council of States of the Parliament of India. The Bill applies to individuals and intermediaries handling electronic communications, including social media platforms, covering messages, images, audio, video, and deepfake or digitally forged content. The Bill provides for the constitution of a review committee with subject-matter expertise to assess complaints and safeguard free speech, dissent, satire, fair criticism, and journalistic activity. It mandates the development of mechanisms, based on the Committee’s recommendations, to protect good-faith expression and penalises frivolous or malicious complaints. The Bill further subjects law enforcement's misuse of the provision to disciplinary action. The Bill also establishes a digital rights ombudsman to review all legal actions under the section for compliance with constitutional safeguards.