Government Imposes Strict Takedown Timelines for CSAM and AI-Generated Content

1
Recent amendments to the IT Rules mandate social media platforms to remove unlawful content within three hours of a reasoned intimation.
2
Intermediaries must now disable access to content involving nudity or morphed images within two hours of a user complaint.
3
New guidelines require clear labelling and traceable metadata for permissible AI-generated content (like deepfakes).

●Key Legislation: Information Technology Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021
●Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)
●Takedown Timeline (CSAM/Nudity): 2 hours from receipt of user complaint
●Takedown Timeline (Unlawful content via Govt Order): 3 hours (reduced from 36 hours)
●Grievance Redressal Timeline: Reduced to 36 hours (general) and 2 hours for sensitive matters
●AI Content Mandate: Clear labelling, traceable metadata, and user awareness for synthetically generated information

Exam Relevance

upsc

GS Paper 2 > Government Policies

Previously Asked (PYQs)

UPSC Prelims 2017

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Answer: 1, 2 and 3

Expected Questions

★Questions targeting the specific takedown timelines mandated under the IT Rules 2021 amendments.

Key Terms

Safe Harbour

Provided under Section 79 of the IT Act; grants intermediaries exemption from liability for third-party content, provided they strictly observe due diligence obligations.

priority_highMust Remember

•Failure to observe the strict takedown timelines results in the loss of Safe Harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.
•The takedown window for CSAM, nudity, and morphed images is an ultra-strict 2 hours.

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

•Distinguish between the 3-hour rule (for government/court orders) and the 2-hour rule (for direct user complaints regarding nudity/morphed images).

Question 1 of 2Score: 0/0

Factual

Under the recently amended Information Technology Rules, 2021, if an intermediary fails to observe its statutory due diligence obligations, it loses its exemption from liability for third-party information. This 'safe harbour' exemption is provided under which section of the IT Act, 2000?

Current Affairs Pulse

Government Imposes Strict Takedown Timelines for CSAM and AI-Generated Content

Key Points

Quick Facts

Exam Spotlight

Exam Relevance

Previously Asked (PYQs)

Expected Questions

Key Terms

priority_highMust Remember

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

Practice Quiz

Under the recently amended Information Technology Rules, 2021, if an intermediary fails to observe its statutory due diligence obligations, it loses its exemption from liability for third-party information. This 'safe harbour' exemption is provided under which section of the IT Act, 2000?

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