The government has proposed changes to India’s IT regulatory framework that would bring news and current affairs posts shared by individuals on social media under official oversight. This marks a notable shift from past practice, as users who were not registered news publishers could now see their online posts treated similarly to formal news content.
Under the draft rules, digital platforms and the content they host — including posts by influencers, creators, and regular users — may be subject to grievance and compliance mechanisms that were previously reserved for professional publishers. This means that if news content is shared by a user and receives complaints, it could be reviewed under the amended framework, and platforms might be required to act on it.
The government is seeking public comments on the draft amendments until mid-April. Proponents argue that this move could help curb misinformation and strengthen transparency online. However, digital rights advocates caution that regulating individual users might impact freedom of expression and raise practical challenges for enforcement.
If finalized, the changes would update the existing IT rules by broadening regulatory oversight, reinforcing procedures for content moderation across the digital ecosystem, and clarifying the responsibilities of intermediaries hosting user posts.