Centre Proposes New IT Rules To Regulate Social Media Users Sharing News

The Central Government has proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, aiming to expand regulatory oversight over online content. The proposal seeks to bring even individual users who share news and current affairs content on social media within the scope of these rules.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has invited public feedback on the draft amendments. Stakeholders have been given until April 14, 2026, to submit their comments. The move signals a broader attempt to revisit how digital content is regulated in India.

A key aspect of the proposal is the extension of Part III of the IT Rules to cover users who are not registered publishers but still share news-related content. This means that individuals posting or circulating news on social media platforms may now fall under the same regulatory framework that governs digital news publishers.

The draft specifies that the rules would apply to any news and current affairs content that is hosted, displayed, uploaded, modified, published, transmitted, stored, updated, or shared by users on intermediary platforms. This significantly widens the ambit of the rules, as it includes user-generated content that was earlier outside formal regulatory scrutiny.

Another important change is the proposed insertion of Rule 3(4) under Part II. This provision would require intermediaries to strictly comply with government-issued advisories, directions, standard operating procedures, and guidelines. These obligations would form part of their due diligence requirements under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act.

The draft also clarifies that existing data retention obligations under the rules will continue to apply alongside other legal requirements. This indicates that intermediaries may need to align their data practices with multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously.

Further, the proposal seeks to strengthen Rule 14 by expanding the powers of the Inter-Departmental Committee. The Committee would not only handle complaints against online content but also take up matters directly referred by the Ministry. This change could enhance the executive’s role in monitoring and supervising digital content.

According to the Ministry, these amendments are largely clarificatory and procedural. They are intended to improve legal clarity, ensure better enforcement of directions, and strengthen oversight over content hosted by intermediaries, especially in relation to news and current affairs.

If implemented, the proposed changes may have a significant impact on how news is shared and consumed online. By bringing individual users within the regulatory fold, the amendments could reshape the digital content landscape in India.