India, Feb. 25 -- India has amended the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, with changes effective from 20 February 2026, marking a shift in how artificial intelligence (AI) and online platforms are governed.

The 2026 amendment follows a rise in deepfakes and AI-generated content and misinformation globally, prompting governments to recalibrate regulatory frameworks to balance innovation with user protection. According to the official Gazette notification, the amendment introduces definitional clarity, expands due diligence obligations, strengthens transparency requirements and shortens grievance redress timelines for intermediaries.

A central feature of the amendment is the formal...