New Rule Limits Takedown Notices to Senior Officials Under IT Act 79(3)(b)

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has mandated that only senior officials can issue takedown notices under the Information Technology Act, enhancing accountability in content moderation on social media.

Starting November 15, only a senior officer at the rank of joint secretary or above can issue takedown notices under Section 79 (3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
This new rule replaces the previous system that allowed junior officials to send takedown notices, aiming to enhance accountability and due diligence in handling social media content.
Law enforcement officials must also be at least a deputy inspector general of police to issue such notices, reflecting a significant shift in regulatory oversight.

Why It Matters

This new regulation emphasizes the importance of ethics and accountability in content moderation, ensuring that decisions affecting social media platforms are made by higher-ranking officials with greater responsibility.