In order to ensure an Open, Safe & Trusted Internet and accountability of intermediaries including the social media intermediaries to users, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in exercise of the powers given under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”), notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) on 25th February, 2021 and subsequently amended time-to-time on various dates viz. 28th October, 2022, 6th April, 2023 and 22nd October, 2025 respectively to address the emerging risks and issues in the cyberspace. Synthetically generated information (SGI) As per Rule 2(1)(wa) of the IT Rules, 2021 (as amended), “synthetically generated information” (SGI) means audio, visual or audio-visual information which is artificially or algorithmically created, generated, modified or altered using a computer resource, in a manner that such information appears to be real, authentic or true, and depicts or portrays any individual or event in a manner that is, or is likely to be perceived as indistinguishable from a natural person or a realworld event. In simple terms, SGI refers to synthetic media that can realistically appear like a real person (including their appearance or voice) or a real-world event, in a way that may deceive viewers into believing that it is genuine. This may include, for example, what is commonly referred to as deepfakes, AI-generated/AIaltered images and videos, voice cloning, and other forms of realistic synthetic audio-visual content, provided such content meets the above legal threshold of appearing real/authentic/true and being indistinguishable from real persons/events. Benefits of SGI Synthetically generated information (“SGI”), when developed and used responsibly, offers significant benefits to users in India by enabling innovation, accessibility, and economic growth across sectors. Support the creation of multilingual and local-language content Improve access to education and skill development through personalised learning tools Enhance public service delivery through simulations, virtual assistants, and data-driven decision-making. Promote inclusion by enabling assistive technologies for persons with disabilities Supports creative expression and empowers small businesses, startups, and creators with affordable digital tools. Challenges of SGI The challenges posed by growing misuse of SGI, include deepfakes, misinformation, and other unlawful content capable of misleading users causing user harms, violating privacy, or threatening national integrity. Legal provisions related to SGI The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has made amendments to the IT Rules, 2021 in relation to the SGI and other associated concerns by notifying the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, vide Gazette notification number G.S.R. 120(E), dated 10th February, 2026, which shall come into force on 20th February, 2026. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 amend the IT Rules, 2021 to further strengthen the due diligence framework for intermediaries, particularly in relation to synthetically generated information (SGI) and associated online harms. The amendments, inter alia, cover the following broad areas: insertion of definitions relating to “audio, visual or audio-visual information” and “synthetically generated information (SGI)”, along with specific exclusions of certain categories information from the definition of SGI clarification that, for purposes of these Rules, references to “information” in the context of unlawful acts shall include SGI; clarification that removal/disablement of information including SGI in compliance with the Rules (including through reasonable technical measures / automated tools) shall not amountto violation of section 79(2)(a) or 79(2)(b) conditions (safe harbour); strengthening of user awareness obligations, including periodic user information at least once every three months, and additional warnings for intermediaries facilitating SGI creation; strengthening of timelines for compliance, including reduced timelines for takedown upon actual knowledge and for grievance redressal (including special categories such as nudity/impersonation etc.); introduction of a dedicated SGI due diligence framework under Rule 3(3), including: measures to prevent unlawful/prohibited SGI; and labelling/metadata/identifier obligations for permissible SGI; additional due diligence obligations for Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs), including user declaration and technical verification before publishing SGI, and prominentlabelling of SGI Obligations for Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) in relation to SGI Rule 4(1A) requires an SSMI, before allowing users to display, upload or publish information, to: obtain a user declaration as to whether the content is SGI; deploy reasonable and appropriate technical measures (including automated tools) to verify the correctness of such declaration prior to publication, having regard to the nature/format/source of information; and where confirmed as SGI (by declaration and/or technical verification), ensure it is displayed with a clear and prominent label/notice indicating that the content is synthetically generated. What are the important timelines under the amended Rules? Rule 3(1)(d): information removal/disablement upon actual knowledge received through (i) by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) a reasoned intimation from the authorised officer of the Appropriate Government or its agency - within 3 hours Rule 3(2)(a)(i): grievance disposal - within 7 days Proviso to Rule 3(2)(a)(i): certain grievances for removal or disabling access to information or communication link relating to rule 3(1)(b)- within 36 hours Rule 3(2)(b): removal or disabling access to information relating to nudity/sexual act/impersonation/morphed content against grievances - within 2 hours What actions may be taken against users who violate synthetically generated information (SGI)-related obligations? Where a user creates, uploads, publishes, transmits, shares or disseminates unlawful synthetically generated information (SGI) or otherwise violates the Rules/terms, the intermediary is required to take expeditious and appropriate action as per Rule 3(1)(cb) of the IT Rules, 2021 (as amended), read with Rule 3(1)(ca). Such action may include, inter alia: immediate removal of, or disabling access to, such SGI/information; suspension or termination of the user account responsible for the violation (including prevention of further uploads), while preserving evidence (E.g., logs and relevant information) and ensuring that evidence is not vitiated, for purposes of investigation/legal proceedings; and where required under applicable law, identification and disclosure of information relating to the violating user to the complainant / competent authority, as applicable, in accordance with due process and legal requirements FAQs on The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026