Centre notifies key amendments to content guidelines after legal battle with Elon Musks X

PTC News Desk: Following a legal battle with Elon Musk's X over social media guidelines, the Centre has made key amendments to the Information Technology law to "enhance transparency, accountability and safeguards".

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025 to amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 ("IT Rules, 2021").

"These amendments strengthen the framework of due diligence obligations of intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000," the ministry said.

The amended Rules will take effect on November 15, 2025.

Key features of the amendments:

Senior-level authorisation: Any intimation to intermediaries for removal of unlawful information can now 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 rank--and, 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 ("content") to be removed.

This replaces the earlier broad reference to 'notifications' with 'reasoned intimation' to align the Rules with the requirement of 'actual knowledge' as mandated under section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, bringing clarity and precision.

Periodic review mechanism: All intimations issued under Rule 3(1)(d) will be subject to a monthly review by an officer not below the rank of Secretary of the Appropriate Government. This ensures 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.