India Cracks Down on Big Tech: Stricter IT Rules Planned for Meta, Google and X

New Delhi: In a major push to tighten digital governance, the Indian government is set to introduce stricter IT regulations targeting global tech giants like Meta, Google, and X. The proposed framework aims to make government advisories legally binding, significantly increasing accountability for online platforms. Companies may risk losing their “safe harbour” protection—currently shielding them from liability over user-generated content—if they fail to comply with directives. The move follows earlier steps to curb harmful online content, including stricter timelines for content removal and regulations around AI-generated material and deepfakes. With public feedback open until mid-April, the new rules signal India’s intent to assert stronger control over digital platforms in one of the world’s fastest-growing internet markets.