Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified on June 9, 2026 that the government's authority to issue content takedown orders on social media platforms is restricted exclusively to deepfake content. He stated unequivocally that genuine content and protest videos are not subject to any government removal orders.
The clarification came amid growing controversy over the removal of several YouTube videos, including allegations that a video supporting a victim of a flawed CBSE assessment was taken down at the government's behest. Vaishnaw's statement sought to draw a clear legal and policy line: the state's power to compel social media intermediaries to remove content applies only to AI-generated synthetic media — specifically deepfakes — and not to authentic user-generated content.
India's regulatory framework for deepfakes was strengthened through guidelines requiring social media intermediaries to label all AI-generated content and to take down flagged deepfake content within 3 hours of it being reported. These guidelines place a direct compliance obligation on platforms operating in India.
On the international dimension, India has been actively coordinating with over 30 countries to develop both technical and legal solutions for addressing the growing threat posed by deepfakes. This multilateral engagement reflects recognition that deepfake technology transcends national borders and demands coordinated global governance.
The minister's clarification is significant from a digital rights perspective. It draws a firm boundary around the government's content moderation authority, distinguishing between AI-manipulated media — where intervention is warranted — and genuine expression, which remains protected. Critics and civil society groups had raised concerns that takedown powers could be misused to suppress legitimate speech; this statement attempts to address those concerns directly.