India: Social Media

In the contemporary digital age, the phenomenon of "trial by media" represents a significant challenge to the constitutional right to a fair trial. Media trials are defined as "certain regional or national new 'events' in which the criminal justice system is co-opted by media as a source of high drama entertainment". This concept refers to the influence of television, newspaper, and social media coverage on an individual's reputation, effectively shaping public perception of guilt or innocence before or after a judicial verdict.

Pesky, promotional and unsolicited commercial communications can be intrusive and disruptive for consumers, particularly when received without their consent. They can result in consumers being constantly exposed to unwanted commercial messages, making it harder to distinguish important communications from promotional content. In some cases, such communications may also encourage unwanted purchases or expose consumers to potential fraud and other risks. In view thereof, Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has proposed a draft of the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Pesky, Promotional and Unsolicited Commercial Communications, 2026 (Draft Guidelines).

Instagram's 2026 policy shift introduces mandatory AI-generated profile labels and penalties for non-disclosure, creating new compliance challenges at the intersection of platform governance and India's statutory framework for synthetically generated information. How do these overlapping regimes affect brands, influencers, and content creators operating in India's digital ecosystem?

Launching a new business involves more than product development, funding and customer acquisition. One of the most valuable assets a company builds over time is its brand identity. Business names, logos, slogans...

India's digital and AI regulatory framework has entered a decisive new phase. On 10 February 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MeitY”) notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework specifically addressing Synthetically Generated Information (“SGI”). These amendments, which took effect on 20 February 2026, mark India's response to the proliferation of deepfakes, AI-generated content, and other forms of synthetic media that can deceive users and cause significant harm.

Two landmark US courts’ verdicts in March 2026 may signal a shift in the law relating to platform liability.

As part of the Indian government's efforts to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, MeitY has issued amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, on February 10, 2026.

On January 2, 2026, the Cyber Laws Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (hereinafter referred to as ‘MeitY') issued a notice to the Chief Compliance Officer of India operations of X Corp.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 (Amendment Rules) to amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules).