• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. AI content labelling now mandatory for digital platforms.
  2. Unlawful content removal timeline cut to 3 hours.
  3. Sensitive content like deepfakes must be removed within 2 hours.

India has made AI-content labelling mandatory, bringing deepfakes directly under the country's digital regulation framework. Additionally, the government has reduced the timeline for platforms to remove unlawful content from 36 hours to just 3 hours upon receiving a government or court notice. In sensitive cases involving impersonation or nudity, platforms must act even faster, removing the content within 2 hours.

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IT Rules Mandate AI Content Labelling And Cut Takedown Timeline To 3 Hours

- AI Content Labelling: The Centre has strengthened its regulatory framework by making clear labelling and traceable metadata mandatory for AI-generated content, helping users easily identify synthetic material.

- Unlawful Content Removal: The deadline for platforms to remove unlawful content upon receiving an government or court notice has been reduced from 36 hours to just 3 hours.

- Sensitive Cases: For sensitive categories, including impersonation or nudity, the action timeline has been reduced from 24 hours to 2 hours.

- Complaint Resolution:Additionally, the government has made it mandatory for platforms to address user complaints within 36 hours, down from the previous 72-hour timeline. 

The government's announcement came amid a major row over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook.

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Under the updated framework, large social media platforms with over 50 lakh users are required to use automated detection tools to catch unlawful content. Additionally, these platforms must publish regular compliance reports, appoint grievance officers, assist law enforcement agencies, and provide users with account verification and appeal options, according to a report by Jagran.com.

The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 already has provisions to deal with identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations, and the creation or sharing of obscene content, while the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 has sections to punish organised cybercrime involving deepfakes.


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