Everyday social media users who post news could soon face the same strict government control as professional publishers. On Monday, 30 March 2026, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) unveiled draft changes to the 2021 IT Rules that significantly widen the state’s reach over the internet. These proposals mean individual YouTubers, influencers, and even regular X users could receive direct orders to delete or change their posts if they cover current affairs.

New powers over individual creators

Under the current system, only registered news platforms were subject to official takedown notices from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The new proposal scraps this distinction to include "non-publisher users". Now, any individual sharing news or current affairs content—regardless of whether they are a professional—falls under the oversight of the government. This includes the power to block content or order emergency deletions. Officials say the goal is to regulate news items on social media that currently go unchecked.

The changes also target the social media companies themselves. Platforms like Facebook and Meta must now strictly follow all government advisories, guidelines, and standard operating procedures. If they fail to comply, they risk losing their "safe harbour" status. This legal shield currently protects them from being held responsible for what their users post. Without it, these tech giants could face direct legal action in court for any controversial content on their sites.

Concerns over censorship and control

The move has sparked sharp criticism from digital rights groups. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) described the plan as a massive expansion of regulatory power that could lead to unconstitutional censorship. Critics worry that because platforms are terrified of losing their legal protections, they will become over-zealous. This could lead to "over-censorship," where companies delete content at the slightest hint of government pressure to avoid legal risk.

There are also concerns about the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC), which handles content disputes. The new rules allow this committee to investigate any "matter" the government refers to it, rather than just responding to specific public complaints. Some experts argue this gives the executive branch too much discretion to initiate its own crackdowns on speech.

Government cites fight against fake news

The government defends the move as a necessary step for a safer internet. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that the recent rise in takedown orders is aimed at tackling "fake news" and "AI-generated deepfakes". Officials argue that tech firms were not taking previous non-binding advisories seriously enough. The public has until 14 April 2026 to submit feedback on these proposed changes.