India IT Rules amendment on synthetically generated information
Amends India's 2021 IT Rules to cover 'synthetically generated information' (realistic AI-made or altered audio and video). Platforms that offer AI generation tools must block unlawful deepfakes and label other synthetic content with prominent labels and permanent metadata. Large social media platforms must collect user declarations and verify them. Takedown deadlines get much shorter.
At a glance
In force
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Type
- Regulation
- Official title
- Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 120(E))
What this means for you
If you build AI
- If your platform lets users create or alter realistic audio or video, label the output prominently and embed permanent metadata or a unique identifier where technically feasible.
- Tools must also stop users creating unlawful synthetic content, such as deceptive impersonation of a real person or event.
If you deploy AI
- Significant social media intermediaries must ask users to declare synthetic content, verify the declaration with technical measures, and show a clear label.
- Removal after a lawful government or court order drops from 36 hours to three hours; some user complaints now get two hours instead of 24.
If you use AI
- Realistic AI-made audio and video on Indian platforms should carry a visible label or an audio disclosure.
- Platforms that knowingly allow unlawful synthetic content are treated as failing their due diligence duties.
Key dates
- Feb 20, 2026PastSynthetic-content labelling and faster takedown rules take effectSource
Status history
In the Drops
No Drop has covered this law yet.