India tightens rules on AI-generated, deepfake content

The government on Tuesday brought in stricter obligations for online platforms on handling AI-generated and synthetic content, including deepfakes, saying platforms such as X and Instagram must take down within three hours any such content flagged by a competent authority or courts. The government notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, that formally define AI-generated and synthetic content. The new rules will come into force from February 20, 2026. The government is also mandating that social media platforms deploy tools and verification mechanisms to check user declarations, and holding them responsible if AI-generated content is published without proper disclosure. According to the government the new rules are aimed at curbing the misuse of AI and deepfakes online, while pushing platforms to act faster on harmful or misleading content.

Now: MeitY has notified the deepfake amendment to IT Rules. pic.twitter.com/yOE3vxHXGv

— Aditi Agrawal (@Aditi_muses) February 10, 2026

The new rules, notified on February 10 and set to come into force from February 20, formally bring what the government calls “synthetically generated information” (SGI) under India’s digital governance framework. This covers AI-generated or AI-altered audio, video and visual content that appears real or authentic and may be difficult for users to distinguish from real-world material. The move comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of deepfakes, impersonation, misinformation and synthetic media for fraud, harassment and other unlawful activities.