India, May 15 -- Algorithms designed to attract users can also attract liability.

Two landmark US court verdicts in March 2026 may signal a shift in the law relating to platform liability. It is possible that the legal position has moved from "platforms are mere conduits" to one where "platforms are products, and their makers can be sued".

For technology companies operating in India, the next critical question is whether the Indian legal framework supports similar claims, and if so, how these may present themselves.

Typically, Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act, 1996, shields online intermediaries from liability for third-party content. This provision has, so far, been effective in protecting major digital businesses from...