New rules may apply to users sharing news on social media; Centre proposes IT law amendments
Government proposes IT Rules amendments to regulate news shared on social media, expanding oversight on user-generated content.
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The central government has proposed amendments to the Information Technology Rules, 2021, aiming to expand regulatory oversight on online content. The proposal seeks to extend compliance obligations for intermediaries and bring even user-shared news and current affairs content under stricter regulation.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has invited suggestions from stakeholders on the proposed changes, setting a deadline of April 14, 2026. The amendments clarify that Part III of the IT Rules will also apply to intermediaries hosting news and current affairs content shared by users who are not registered publishers.
Scope expanded to user-generated news content
Through this move, the government intends to bring the spread of news content by regular users under the same regulatory framework that governs digital media publishers. According to the draft, the rules will apply to all news-related content shared, uploaded, displayed, modified, published, transmitted, stored, or updated by non-publisher users on intermediary platforms.
Key proposed change in due diligence rules
A significant change has been proposed under Part II with the introduction of a new Rule 3(4). This would make it mandatory for intermediaries to comply with government-issued clarifications, advisories, directions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and guidelines as part of their “due diligence” obligations under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The draft also clarifies that obligations related to data protection under Rules 3(1)(g) and 3(1)(h) will remain applicable without affecting requirements under other laws.
Stronger oversight through committee powers
Additionally, the government has proposed strengthening Rule 14 by expanding the powers of the inter-departmental committee formed under the rules. This committee will not only review complaints but will also be able to take cognizance of cases directly referred to it by the ministry.
This move is expected to significantly increase executive oversight in regulating digital content across platforms.