The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a stern advisory on December 29, 2025, directing social media platforms and online intermediaries to proactively detect and remove “obscene”, “pornographic”, “vulgar”, paedophilic, and other unlawful content, invoking the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021.

Platforms with more than 50 lakh users classified as “large” under the rules face a clear mandate to deploy advanced technology for automatic identification and swift takedown of such material, with non-compliance threatening legal action under the IT Act and related laws.

This directive stems from government observations of inadequate screening by major platforms, amid broader Supreme Court pressure to address rampant online obscenity; authorities have already blocked nearly 25 home-grown OTT platforms specialising in erotic content, yet no immediate responses from platforms have surfaced as of December 31, 2025.

The advisory underscores a balance between user freedoms and public safety, particularly for children, while requiring intermediaries to exercise “due diligence” in preventing the hosting, uploading, or sharing of harmful material.​

Enhanced Tech Obligations for Big Platforms

These entities must implement automated systems such as AI-driven content moderation tools to scan, flag, and delete prohibited content in real-time, going beyond reactive measures. Smaller intermediaries are not exempt; all must act upon “actual knowledge” of violations, removing content within 36 hours of receiving court orders, government directives, or user complaints, or even sooner if they deem it necessary voluntarily.

This framework preserves platforms’ safe harbour immunity under Section 79 of the IT Act, provided they demonstrate proactive compliance, but failure invites penalties, including fines and potential criminal prosecution.​

Roots in Judicial Nudge and Ongoing Crackdowns

This latest move builds directly on a Supreme Court observation roughly a month prior, where justices urged the Union government to tackle “obscenity” rampant across the internet, criticising lax oversight in digital spaces.

In its affidavit to the court, MeitY proposed inserting expansive language into regulations to explicitly ban obscene content online, signalling a policy shift towards stricter norms. Complementing this, the government has decisively blocked 25 domestic OTT services known for explicit erotica, disrupting their operations and sending a ripple through the streaming sector.

No single incident appears to have sparked the December 29 advisory unlike high-profile cases of revenge porn or child exploitation videos but it aligns with accumulating evidence of platforms’ inconsistent rigour in reporting and removing material harmful to minors, as flagged in periodic compliance audits.

The IT Rules, 2021, already prohibit intermediaries from enabling the display, upload, modification, publication, transmission, storage, or sharing of obscene, pornographic, paedophilic, or otherwise illegal content, yet enforcement has been spotty amid India’s booming 900 million-plus internet users. ​

Broader Implications for Digital India

Beyond immediate compliance, the advisory signals MeitY’s intent to fortify India’s digital ecosystem against moral and legal pitfalls. It dovetails with ongoing efforts like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and blockchain-based traceability for misinformation, painting a picture of comprehensive governance.

Critics may worry about overreach could vague definitions of “obscene” lead to censorship of artistic expression or consensual adult content? but proponents argue it empowers platforms to self-regulate ethically.

For users in diverse India, from urban millennials to rural families, this means a cleaner feed, potentially reducing cyberbullying tied to explicit shares and fostering safer online spaces for education and discourse.

Platforms now scramble to audit algorithms, train human moderators, and report metrics quarterly, as mandated. Globally, this mirrors trends in the EU’s Digital Services Act, but India’s user-scale demands uniquely robust tech.​

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The Logical Indian views this advisory as a commendable stride towards a compassionate digital realm, where technology shields the vulnerable children, women, and marginalised voices from exploitation, nurturing empathy, harmony, and coexistence in our interconnected society.

By mandating accountability without blanket bans, it encourages platforms to prioritise kindness over profit, sparking positive change through transparent moderation and user education. We urge constructive dialogue: platforms, share your compliance roadmaps; citizens, report responsibly.