India, March 31 -- News and current affairs content posted online by individual users will now come under the same framework as that posted by publishers, allowing for deletion, modification, even emergency blocking.

And social media platforms will now have to comply with guidelines or advisories issued by the IT ministry (MeitY), or risk legal action.

Both are changes in the IT Rules, 2021 proposed by the ministry, with a draft being released for public consultation on Monday. Comments can be submitted till April 14.

The first change also significantly expands the information and broadcasting ministry's (MIB) blocking powers, including through the Inter Disciplinary Committee or IDC that hears cases. An ancillary change proposed is in...