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From November 1, 2025, only senior government officers will be authorised to order the removal of unlawful content from social media platforms, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced on Wednesday. The decision seeks to ensure transparency, proportionality, and accountability in the government’s digital content regulation process.

According to the new framework, only an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary or an equivalent Director-level official will be empowered to send formal takedown intimations to social media platforms. In the case of police authorities, only a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or above, specially authorised, can issue such orders.

The change replaces the earlier practice where junior officers such as sub-inspectors or assistant sub-inspectors were permitted to pass content removal orders. Officials said the move aligns government action with legal standards and prevents misuse of takedown powers.

“This change will increase government transparency. Orders will be passed through senior-level officers, and reasons will be provided for each decision,” Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, as quoted by IANS. He added that the step was essential given growing concerns over deepfakes, which have “harmed individuals’ privacy and personal lives”.

The provisions are part of amendments to Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The ministry has also proposed additional amendments to counter the spread of synthetic and deepfake content online.

Under the revised rule, every takedown intimation must now include:

This change replaces the earlier broad “notifications” with reasoned intimations, aligning with the “actual knowledge” requirement under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The ministry said this ensures actions are “necessary, proportionate, and consistent with law”.

All takedown intimations issued under the rule will undergo a monthly review by an officer not below the rank of Secretary in the respective government — either Central or State.

Intermediaries that fail to comply with these orders risk losing their safe harbour protection under Section 79(3)(b), which shields them from liability for third-party content.

According to the ministry’s official statement, the amendments “strengthen the framework of due diligence obligations” for intermediaries and “enhance clarity in enforcement”.

The government maintained that the changes aim to strike a balance between citizens’ constitutional rights and the State’s regulatory powers, avoiding arbitrary restrictions on online speech.

“These reforms reinforce due process and responsible governance in the digital ecosystem,” the ministry said.

The update also follows recent court challenges by social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), which had objected to takedown orders issued by junior officials under the same legal provision.

By limiting this authority to senior officers, the government hopes to ensure that online content removal remains lawful, transparent, and backed by clear reasoning, according to the statement.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros