How India’s new three-hour takedown rule will change social media
- Bhavika Jain
- TIMESOFINDIA.COMUpdated: Feb 13, 2026, 14:43 IST IST
India has tightened its grip on online content moderation. From February 20, social media platforms will have just three hours to remove unlawful content once notified. This is a steep cut from the earlier 36-hour window under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021.
The amendment, notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under powers granted by the Information Technology Act, 2000, significantly tightens compliance obligations that were already contested when first introduced in 2021.
The amendment, notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under powers granted by the Information Technology Act, 2000, significantly tightens compliance obligations that were already contested when first introduced in 2021.
