Rules / India

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 (synthetically generated information)

In forceRegulationBinding

Defines 'synthetically generated information' (AI-made or altered audio/visual content that appears real) and requires intermediaries that enable its creation or sharing to prevent unlawful SGI, label it prominently and embed permanent metadata/unique identifiers. Significant social media intermediaries must collect user declarations on whether content is synthetic, verify them technically and label before publication; takedown timelines were cut (3 hours on government/court orders, 2 hours for non-consensual intimate imagery).

Why it matters

Any platform or AI tool serving Indian users that generates or hosts synthetic media must now label it and keep provenance metadata, or risk losing safe-harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.

What it requires

Labelling AI contentTransparency to usersPenalties

Penalties

Loss of safe-harbour (intermediary immunity) under Section 79 of the IT Act, exposing the platform to liability for user content.

SourceMeitY (consolidated IT Rules as amended by G.S.R. 120(E), 10 Feb 2026): https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/02/550681ab908f8afb135b0ad42816a1c9.pdfSecondary: https://www.azbpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/India-AI-Regulatory-Tracker-2nd-Ed-Correct-Final.pdf Checked against the source on 4 Oct 2026. Notified as G.S.R. 120(E) dated 10 Feb 2026; effective 20 Feb 2026 (per AZB tracker and multiple law-firm notes). Builds on the non-binding MeitY AI advisory of 15 Mar 2024, which already urged labelling of AI outputs.

Cite this record

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 (synthetically generated information). Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Status: In force. wheresthe.ai, https://wheresthe.ai/rule/in-it-rules-amendment-sgi-2026/ (verified 4 Oct 2026).

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