The central government has issued a strong warning to all online platforms, especially social media companies, regarding the posting of obscene content.
The Centre said that if platforms fail to take action against obscene, indecent, pornographic content, child sexual abuse material, or any other illegal content, they will face legal consequences.
In an advisory issued on December 29, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) asked social media platforms to immediately review their compliance frameworks and take strict action against illegal and obscene content available on their platforms.
The government also made it clear that failure to comply could lead to prosecution under Indian law.
The advisory reminded intermediaries, including social media platforms, that under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, they must exercise due diligence to receive protection from liability for third-party content uploaded, published, hosted, shared, or transmitted through their platforms.
Why Was the Advisory Issued?
MeitY issued the advisory after observing that many social media platforms are not taking strict or consistent action against obscene, indecent, lewd, inappropriate, and unlawful content.
The advisory reiterated that non-compliance with the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology Rules, 2021 will make intermediaries, platforms,
and even users liable for action under the IT Act, the Indian Penal Code (BNS), and other applicable criminal laws.
The government also reminded platforms that the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021 require them to make reasonable efforts to ensure that users do not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update, or share content that is pornographic, harmful to children, or otherwise illegal.
Immediate Removal of Illegal Content Required
The IT Ministry stated that it has noticed a lack of consistency and strictness in how intermediaries follow their due diligence obligations.
As a result, it has directed platforms to immediately remove or disable access to illegal content once they receive a court order or a notification from the appropriate government authority or its authorized agency.
The Centre emphasized that such action must be taken strictly within the timelines specified under the IT Rules, 2021.
What Are the IT Rules, 2021?
Under the IT Rules, 2021, if a complaint is filed by any person or on their behalf, and the content appears to show a person engaged in a sexually explicit act or conduct, the intermediary must remove or disable access to that content within 24 hours.
Platforms Asked to Strengthen Compliance Mechanisms
The advisory also directed online platforms to immediately review their internal compliance frameworks, content moderation systems, and user enforcement mechanisms.
Platforms have been asked to ensure strict and consistent compliance with the provisions of the IT Act and the IT Rules, 2021.
