Parliament Question: Information Technology Rules and Content Governance

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4039

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.08.2026 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RULES AND CONTENT GOVERNANCE

4039. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to

state:

(a) whether the Government has undertaken any review of the implementation of the InformationTechnology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules and subsequent amendments;

(b) if so, the number of content removal orders, blocking orders and account suspension requests issued by the Union Government during the last year; and

(c) the manner in which the Government proposes to enhance transparency regarding such directions including legal basis and aggregate statistics? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (c): The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring an Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet for its users. The existing legal framework including The Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”), together, have imposed clear due diligence obligations on intermediaries to ensure accountability.

Intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, are also required to remove or disable access to any unlawful information as and when brought to their knowledge either through a court order or through a reasoned intimation in writing by an appropriate government or its authorized agency. Such unlawful information includes information prohibited under any law for the time being in force in relation to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order; decency or morality, in relation to contempt of court, defamation, incitement to an offence relating to the above\ or any information which is prohibited under any law for the time being in force.

The amendments to IT Rules in November 2025 introduced additional safeguards to ensure that removal or disabling access of unlawful content is carried out in a transparent, proportionate and accountable manner. The amended Rules came into effect from 15th November, 2025. Key features of the amendment are as under:

● Senior-level Authorisation: ○ Any intimation to intermediaries for removal of unlawful information can only be issued by a senior officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary, or equivalent, or, where such rank is not appointed, a director or an officer equivalent in rankand where so authorised, acting through a single corresponding officer in its authorised agency, where such agency is so appointed.

○ In case of police authorities, only an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), specially authorised, can issue such intimation. ● Reasoned Intimation with Specific Details:

The intimation must clearly specify the legal basis and statutory provision, the nature of the unlawful act, and the specific URL/identifier or other electronic location of the information, data or communication link to be removed.

● Periodic Review Mechanism:

Reasoned intimations issued under IT Rules are subjected to a monthly review by an officer not below the rank of Secretary of the Appropriate Government to ensure that such actions remain necessary, proportionate, and consistent with law.

● Balance of Rights and Responsibilities:

The amendments strike a balance between the constitutional rights of citizens and the legitimate regulatory powers of the State, ensuring that enforcement actions are transparent and do not lead to arbitrary restrictions.

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