Latest news with #IntermediaryGuidelinesandDigitalMediaEthicsCode
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First Post
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Pakistani social media handles blocked again in India after ‘technical glitch' led to brief appearance
Government sources have now clarified that Pakistani accounts reappeared in India due to a 'technical glitch' and not because of some policy change read more On July 2, the Instagram accounts Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan and Hania Aamir, briefly became visible to Indian users. The ban on social media accounts of several Pakistani celebrities was reinstated on Thursday (July 3) after heavy backlash on social media. It was reported on Wednesday that social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities started appearing in India, weeks after they were blocked during the recent India-Pak military standoff. This led to massive criticism of the government of PM Narendra Modi on social media, forcing it to walk back on relaxing restrictions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Thursday, Instagram and Twitter profiles of Pakistani celebrities such as Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane and Fawad Khan once again became inaccessible to Indian users. When users search for these accounts, a pop-up error shows this message: 'Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.' Government sources blame 'technical glitch' Government sources have now clarified that the accounts reappeared in India due to a 'technical glitch' and not because of some policy change. The sources said some accounts may still be visible but those too should become inaccessible within few hours as the 'glitch' has been rectified. It is to be noted that the government of India, on May 8, issued an advisory under Part II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) to immediately discontinue web series, films, songs, and other media content originating from Pakistan. The advisory said the move was taken to address concerns regarding India's sovereignty, national security, public order, and integrity. According to sources, over 18,000 Pakistani social media accounts have been withheld in India. This includes accounts of celebrities, media companies and entertainment workers. Huge backlash in India The reappearance of Pakistani social media handles triggered a huge backlash in India. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also criticised the move, calling it an 'insult' to families affected by cross-border terrorism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the AICWA renewed its call for a total digital blackout, a ban on future collaborations, and a permanent cultural disconnection with Pakistan.
News18
21-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
As PM Modi Raises Deep Fake Menace, Govt Steps Up Fight Against AI Misinformation
Last Updated: The government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure digital environment Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent three-nation trip, said the world cannot ignore the threats of technology, including the misuse of deep fake, even as he lauded the advancement of technology. Back home, a full-scale effort is underway to mitigate the challenge of AI misinformation. The Union government has launched a multi-pronged strategy combining legal enforcement, regulatory measures, and technological innovation to ensure a secure and trustworthy digital environment. At the heart of this initiative lies the Information Technology Act, 2000, which, along with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, forms the legal foundation to tackle cybercrimes, including deep fakes. The IT Act penalises a range of offences such as identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations, transmission of obscene material, and cyberterrorism—irrespective of whether the content is human-generated or AI-created. Under the 2021 IT Rules, digital platforms and intermediaries, including social media companies, are legally required to act swiftly against unlawful content. This includes misinformation, impersonation, obscene visuals, gender-based harassment, and content that can mislead or deceive users. These platforms are also obligated to incorporate explicit content restrictions in their terms of service and ensure rapid redressal of user grievances. The government has also directed platforms to exercise caution when deploying AI models, LLMs (Large Language Models), and generative AI tools. Platforms must ensure such technologies are not used to spread unlawful, biased, or politically disruptive content. Furthermore, content generated through unverified AI tools must be appropriately labelled to indicate its potential unreliability. To bolster user protection, the Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) have been established under the IT Rules, 2021. These committees offer users the option to file appeals at if dissatisfied with how digital platforms handle complaints, including those related to deep fakes. Meanwhile, with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, set to come into force from July 1, 2024, legal backing for tackling deep fakes will be further reinforced. Sections like 111 (organised cybercrime), 318 (cheating), 319 (impersonation), and 336 (forgery) are directly applicable to deep fake-related offences. At the enforcement level, the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) provides a comprehensive support system for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across states. Citizens can report cybercrimes through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal ( or by calling the dedicated helpline 1930. In terms of innovation, the government has funded two key projects: Fake Speech Detection Using Deep Learning Design and Development of Software for Detecting Deepfake Videos and Images. The latter has led to the creation of 'FakeCheck", a prototype tool capable of detecting deep fakes without needing internet connectivity. The tool is currently being tested by select LEAs. Further, under the IndiaAI Mission, the government has invited expressions of interest from academia, start-ups, and industry players to develop responsible AI frameworks, watermarking tools, and deep fake detection technologies. So far, 38 proposals on watermarking and 100 on deep fake detection tools have been submitted. 'As the digital landscape evolves rapidly, the government maintains that enforcement remains a state subject. Citizens are encouraged to report violations either through or the national helpline 1093, ensuring swift legal action wherever necessary," the Ministry of Information and Technology has been saying. To ensure an inclusive and informed approach, a high-level committee comprising stakeholders from government, academia, and industry has been constituted to address the broader implications and solutions related to deep fakes. First Published: June 21, 2025, 15:14 IST
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi High Court seeks L-G, MeitY reply on police powers
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Lieutenant Governor's Office and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on a plea challenging a notification empowering Delhi Police to order online content removal. The petition, filed by the Software Freedom Law Centre ( contests the notification designating Delhi Police as the Nodal Agency under the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, allowing them to issue takedown notices under the IT Act. The matter is scheduled for hearing on September 17. The SFLC argues that only the Central Government has blocking powers under Section 69A of the IT Act and related rules. Granting these powers to the police is 'ultra vires' and oversteps statutory limits. The plea raises concerns over unchecked censorship and violation of fundamental rights, citing Shreya Singhal and Madhyamam Broadcasting rulings.
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi HC asks LG, Centre to reply to plea on online content takedown notices
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has sought the response of the Lieutenant Governor on a plea challenging a notification issued by him empowering police to issue takedown notices for social media content. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notice to the LG and the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and asked them to file replies within six weeks. The court listed the matter for further hearing on September 17. The bench was hearing a plea filed by Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) challenging the legality and constitutional validity of the notification issued by the LG that designated Delhi Police as the nodal agency under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, empowering it to issue takedown notices for online content. The notification empowers Delhi Police officers to issue takedown orders to social media companies and other intermediaries to remove illegal content under the Information Technology Act.
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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Centre asks OTT platforms to stop streaming content from Pakistan
The government has asked all over-the-top (OTT) content streaming platforms, media streaming platforms, and internet intermediaries to immediately discontinue streaming of web series, films, songs, podcasts and any other content that has its origin in Pakistan. In an advisory, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) said that under Part-III of the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code, also known as the Information Technology Rules (IT) of 2021, all content publishers must take into consideration factors such as whether the content affects the 'sovereignty and integrity of India, threatens, endangers or jeopardises the security of the State, is detrimental to India's friendly relations with foreign countries, and is likely to incite violence or disturb the maintenance of public order' before publishing and airing them for public consumption. 'Several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross-border linkages with Pakistan-based State and non-State actors,' the MIB said in its advisory. The IT Rules of 2021 lay out specific guidelines for internet intermediaries, content OTT and media streaming platforms on the nature of content that can be stored, published or transmitted by them. While Parts I and II of the IT Rules deal with internet and social media intermediaries and are administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Part III specifies the Code of Ethics and procedure and safeguards concerning digital media and is administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
