New: In a meeting, MeitY asked if bot accounts needed to be specifically regulated due to social harms caused by bot-induced amplification of misinfo, and if consent could be required before using people’s likeness in legal AI-generated content.
Link: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-23...
Alternate means of identification remain available. Not clear how Aadhaar authentication helps in this case (except surveillance through one giant database).
New: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has been allowed to use Aadhaar authentication to verify visitors' identity. Gazette notification reveals that the parliament has an internal visitor database with biometric (facial and fingerprint) details of visitors.
New: In a meeting on February 25, IT Secretary S. Krishnan told tech companies that non-compliance with the law, including the recent amendments to IT Rules, would result in legal consequences.
Article with all the meeting details: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-22...
Update: This platform, called MAITRI, has been discussed by MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg at multiple panels today.
+AI Impact Commons, a repository of AI use cases, is expected to be formally announced this evening at the summit. Here’s its website: www.aiimpactcommons.global
New: USISPF has asked MeitY to put the recent amendments to IT Rules in abeyance, initiate a consultation, and defer enforcement. Reasons cited include criticism of government's own takedown systems and processes, including Sahyog portal.
Link to article: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-21...
New: In two separate letters sent to MeitY secretary on February 16, IAMAI and BIF have called for stakeholder consultation on the recently notified amendments to IT Rules, particularly those related to reduced content takedown timelines.
Link: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-20...
New: To expand global access to AI infrastructure including pooled compute and datasets, the Indian government plans to announce a platform at the India AI Impact Summit this week, MoSPI secretary Saurabh Garg said in a conversation with me.
Link: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-19...
Now: MeitY has notified the deepfake amendment to IT Rules.
New: While ₹10 crore have been allocated for the Data Protection Board in FY27, the budget has been revised from ₹5 crore to ₹2 crore for FY26. ₹2 crore had been allocated towards the DPB for FY25 back in July 2024 but it wasn’t used as per actuals.
New: MeitY mulling immediately enacting some provisions of DPDP Act/Rules related to govt access to personal data, exemptions for authorised agencies, and cross-border data flows. Companies given time until Feb 4 to give their feedback.
Detailed story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-18...
won’t allow obscene imagery, this person said.
It isn’t yet clear if this is a number meant only for Indian accounts/content or a global number.
Now: In response to Indian IT ministry’s notice over NCII generated by Grok, X wrote to MeitY that it had removed over 3,500 pieces of content and deleted over 600 accounts, a senior government official said.
The company said that it would comply with Indian laws and going forward,
New: The govt is considering creating an ethics code for social media users, and online news, MIB told the SC in a written submission on November 20. It also proposed obscenity related amendments to IT Rules, 2021, for all online content.
Link to story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-17...
Analysis: Of MeitY’s November 21 advisory asking intermediaries to ‘proactively’ identify and remove content glorifying violence, in light of the blast near Red Fort.
Link to story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-16...
3. Mandatorily report to LEAs offences 'perceived' to be committed by a user that threaten national security as per BNSS
4. Assist LEAs in investigation/protection by giving info, including to verify identities
Now: MeitY has issued an advisory to all intermediaries wrt content related to the blast at Red Fort. Intermediaries must:
1. Quickly and 'proactively' identify and remove info affecting national security
2. Disable/remove such info within timelines stipulated in IT Rules, 2021
New: Details of Digipub, Abhinandan Sekhri's intervention application challenging the September 2025 K'taka HC order against X's petition on the use of Section 79(3)(b), Rule 3(1)(d) and Sahyog portal issue takedown notices
Link to story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-15...
Now: In response to the media coverage of the Red Fort blast, MIB has issued an advisory to all TV (news) channels to avoid broadcasting visuals that could aid in carrying out unlawful acts (such as those on how to make explosives, or justifying such violence).
New: X, formerly Twitter, has challenged the single judge bench's order dismissing its petition against the use of S79.3.b, R3.1.d and Sahyog portal to send takedown notices.
Link to story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-14...
New: X, formerly Twitter, has challenged the single judge bench's order dismissing its petition against the use of S79.3.b, R3.1.d and Sahyog portal to send takedown notices.
Link to story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-14...
Now:
1. Parts of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 come into force today, others will come into force 12/18 months from today.
2. DPDP Rules notified. Some come into effect today, others 12/18 months from today.
3. Data Protection Board established and will consist of 4 members.
Details of two previous ECI advisories from May 2024 and January 2025:
www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/r...
www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi...
2. Parties to display name of entity responsible for generation in either the caption or metadata is also new (see MeitY draft rules too).
3. Parties to maintain records of such AI generated campaign material for verification by ECI. This is new compared to previous advisories.
Now: ECI’s latest advisory on political parties using AI generated content requires:
1. Parties to label synthetic content with labels occupying 10% of photo area, 10% of audio length, or as a permanent label on top of a video. Echoes MeitY’s proposed amendments to IT Rules.
New: Telecom Cyber Security Rules have been amended to allow the government to create a mobile number validation (MNV) platform.
Link to notified rules: dot.gov.in/sites/defaul...
Now: Amendment to Rule 3(1)(d) of IT Rules 2021 has been notified in the official gazette. It will come into force on November 15.
Correction: Rule 3.1.d amendments to come into effect on Nov 15. Error in the info sheet.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: “Accountability of the government increases with this change. We will be giving a reasoned intimation whenever such order is passed. Orders will be passed at a fairly senior order, JS and above, and DIG and above.”
Now: MeitY has amended Rule 3(1)(d) of IT Rules 2021 to implement a review mechanism, define the seniority of officers who can send takedown notices, issue reasoned orders. Gazette notification to be uploaded tomorrow. To be brought into effect from November 1.
