IT Ministry Directs Social Media Firms to Remove Manipulated Content

The Ministry of Information Technology has directed social media platforms to take down content deemed 'manipulated' as part of a broader effort to regulate digital content distribution in India. The advisory builds upon earlier government guidance specifically addressing artificial intelligence-generated content, extending regulatory oversight to include other forms of altered or fabricated material.

Under the new directive, social media companies are instructed to treat content referred by government departments as a priority for removal. This mechanism establishes a channel through which various government agencies can flag problematic posts for expedited takedown by platforms, streamlining the process of content moderation at scale.

The advisory reflects growing concerns about misinformation and manipulated media circulating on digital platforms in India. By expanding the scope beyond AI-generated content to include other forms of manipulated material, the Ministry aims to create more comprehensive safeguards against false or misleading information that could impact public discourse.

Social media platforms will need to review their content moderation policies to align with the new guidelines. The directive underscores the government's emphasis on platform accountability and the responsibility of companies operating in India to actively combat the spread of deceptive content across their networks.