Summary:
Le 23 octobre 2025, le ministère de l’Électronique et des Technologies de l’information de l’Inde a publié un projet de modifications des Règles de la technologie de l’information (lignes directrices pour les intermédiaires et code d’éthique des médias numériques) de 2021 et a invité le public à donner son avis. L’objectif est de renforcer la sécurité en ligne et la responsabilité face à l’inquiétude croissante concernant les deepfakes et la désinformation alimentée par l’IA générative. Les points clés incluent des définitions claires pour ‘information générée de manière synthétique’, de nouvelles exigences d’étiquetage et de métadonnées pour le contenu synthétique, des normes pour les marquages de visibilité et d’audibilité sur ce contenu, ainsi que des obligations accrues de vérification et de déclaration pour les intermédiaires de médias sociaux significatifs.
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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of the Government of India has invited public feedback on its draft amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules, 2021”). This proposal underscores India’s commitment to maintaining an Open, Safe, Trusted, and Accountable Internet, at a time when the proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools has significantly increased concerns about the misuse of synthetically generated information, including deepfakes.
Deepfakes, which rely on technology to convincingly replicate images, videos, or audio recordings, pose several challenges. They can be exploited to spread misinformation, manipulate elections, undermine individual reputations, or perpetrate identity fraud. These emerging risks have urged governments worldwide, including India, to reevaluate regulations governing digital media and intermediary platforms.
Legally, the IT Rules, 2021 fall under the purview of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which provides the framework for regulating intermediaries and digital communication. The draft amendments specifically aim to modify Section 79 of this Act, tightening obligations for intermediaries, particularly social media intermediaries (SMIs) and significant social media intermediaries (SSMIs). By introducing precise definitions and requirements related to synthetically generated information, these amendments seek to equip platforms to handle the misuse of such content effectively.
Key provisions in the draft include:
1. **Definition of “synthetically generated information”**: The amendments define this term to encompass any text, images, audio, or video generated, altered, or manipulated using AI or similar technology.
2. **Mandatory labeling**: Synthetic content must be clearly labeled, with embedded metadata indicating its fabricated nature. For visual or audio materials, platforms are required to ensure visibility or audibility of the label for at least 10% of the visual layout or the initial audio duration.
3. **Enhanced due diligence and verification**: SSMIs must implement technical solutions to verify whether uploaded content is synthetically generated and label it accordingly.
The proposed rules raise significant ethical considerations. On one hand, they aim to curb malicious use of technology, protect user rights, and maintain societal trust in digital systems. On the other hand, excessive regulation may infringe on creativity and innovation, especially as synthetically generated information also has legitimate applications in fields as diverse as education, entertainment, and research. It is essential to strike a balance between regulation and freedom, ensuring policymakers evaluate the challenges without placing undue burdens on platforms or stifling technological development.
For industries leveraging AI, these amendments hold important implications. Social media companies, for instance, will need to invest in sophisticated AI-driven systems to identify and label synthetic content, potentially increasing operational costs. Meanwhile, businesses in advertising, entertainment, or e-commerce sectors using generative AI tools must adapt to transparency requirements when creating promotional or creative content.
Internationally, similar efforts are being made to tackle the challenges posed by deepfakes. The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act emphasizes risk categorization and ethics related to AI-generated content, while the United States has begun discussions on regulating AI technologies. India’s draft amendments to the IT Rules, 2021 demonstrate a willingness to align domestic laws with emerging global norms.
MeitY is actively seeking input from stakeholders, including digital platforms, experts, and the general public, to refine and finalize these proposals. Feedback is being accepted in MS Word or PDF format via email until November 6, 2025, enabling collaborative dialogue to address these issues responsibly. By ensuring anonymity in the feedback process, the government aims to foster candid and constructive responses.
The amendments represent a proactive approach toward mitigating the risks posed by advances in AI technology while maintaining an environment conducive to innovation. How these regulations will strike a balance between safeguarding users and supporting technological development will significantly shape India’s digital ecosystem in the years to come.