'Act Against Obscene, Illegal Content or Face Prosecution': MeitY to Social Media Companies, Online Platforms

The government reasoned that there was a “need for greater consistency and rigour” in the observance of due diligence obligations by intermediaries, in relation to the identification, reporting and expeditious removal of content.

The Wire Staff

act against obscene illegal content or face prosecution meity to social media companies online platforms

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New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Technology (MeitY) has issued a notice to social media platforms and online intermediaries warning them of consequences if they fail to act against obscene, vulgar, pornographic, and other illegal content on their platforms, reported news agency PTI.

The advisory, dated December 29, 2025, stated that online platforms and social media companies need to immediately review their compliance frameworks and act against obscene and unlawful content found on their platforms, failing to act on which may lead to prosecution.

“Intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, are reminded that they are statutorily obligated under Section 79 of the IT Act to observe due diligence as a condition for availing exemption from liability in respect of third-party information uploaded, published, hosted, shared, or transmitted on or through their platforms,” the advisory read, as reported by PTI.

It comes after the Supreme Court, in hearings held on November 27, urged the Union government to draft fresh rules for a robust regulatory framework for online content, including user-generated content, within four weeks – but only after inviting public consultation.

Also read: Free Speech at Stake as SC Pushes for Stricter Online Content Rules

The ministry has also reminded these platforms about the provisions of the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021, which obligate them to make reasonable efforts to ensure that users do not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any information that is obscene, pornographic, paedophilic, harmful to children, or otherwise unlawful.

“It is reiterated that non-compliance with the provisions of the IT Act and/or the IT Rules, 2021, may result in consequences, including prosecution under the IT Act, BNS, and other applicable criminal laws, against the intermediaries, platforms, and their users,” it stated.

The government reasoned that it has come to its notice that there was a “need for greater consistency and rigour” in the observance of due diligence obligations by intermediaries, in relation to the identification, reporting and expeditious removal of content, PTI reported.

“These concerns have also been reflected in discussions in Parliament and proceedings before courts. In respect of certain specific instances brought to notice, the matter has also been referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for action in accordance with law,” the MeitY noted.

This article went live on December thirty-first, two thousand twenty five, at forty-six minutes past four in the afternoon.

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