India: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology adopted Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 addressing synthetically generated information

On 10 February 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology adopted Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, addressing synthetically generated information. The rules enter into force on 20 February 2026. The amendments address synthetically generated information by expanding the definition of “information” to include content that is artificially created or modified using computer resources to appear authentic. The rules require that all public-facing synthetically generated content include visible labelling and embedded metadata. A permanent and unique identifier must be visibly displayed or audibly present within the content and be easily noticeable and adequately perceivable. Intermediaries that provide computer resources for the creation or modification of such content must not remove or alter these labels or metadata. The amendments also establish due diligence obligations for intermediaries, in particular significant social media intermediaries (SSMIs). SSMIs are required to obtain a user declaration indicating whether uploaded content is synthetically generated and to deploy reasonable technical measures to verify such declarations. They must ensure that synthetic content displayed or published on their platforms is appropriately labelled. These obligations apply to public content and do not extend to private material. Where an intermediary becomes aware, on its own initiative or through a grievance, complaint, or other information, of a violation relating to synthetically generated information, it must take expeditious and appropriate action. The timeframe for compliance with takedown or disabling directions is reduced from 36 hours to 3 hours. Any such intimation must be issued by an officer authorised by a written order for that purpose. Where issued by the police administration, it may be issued by one or more officers not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police, specifically authorised by the Appropriate Government. Finally, the amendments clarify that intermediaries that remove or disable access to content, including synthetically generated information, based on reasonable efforts under the rules will not be considered in breach of existing safe harbour protections.