This explainer unpacks the IT Rules 2021, covering user safety, intermediary duties, due diligence and the digital media ethics code. Understand how the IT Rules 2021 affect platforms.
IT Rules 2021 Explained: What the Updated Regulations Mean for Social Platforms and Digital Media
TheInterviewTimes.com | 28 November 2025: The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 — updated on 06 April 2023 — lay out India’s most important framework for regulating social media intermediaries, digital publishers and online safety. The rules define who is an intermediary, what due diligence platforms must follow, how user complaints must be handled and what obligations apply to digital news and OTT platforms. The IT Rules 2021 also outline penalties for non-compliance, establish a grievance redressal structure and prescribe ethical standards for online media.
Understanding the Scope of IT Rules 2021
The IT Rules 2021 apply to all intermediaries, including social media platforms, messaging apps, search engines, cloud services, e-commerce platforms and news publishers operating online. They also introduce a new category called Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) for large platforms crossing a prescribed user threshold.
Key goals of the Rules include:
- Enhancing user safety online
- Improving accountability of platforms
- Ensuring ethical standards for digital news and OTT content
- Strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms
The Rules operate under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and specify that non-compliance may lead to loss of “safe harbour” protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.
Must Read: Supreme Court Orders New Online Content Regulation Framework to Curb Obscenity and Discrimination
Intermediary Due Diligence: What Platforms Must Follow
The IT Rules 2021 mandate a robust set of obligations for all intermediaries. Key duties include:
1. Mandatory User Agreements and Policy Transparency
Intermediaries must publish clear rules and privacy policies informing users about prohibited content, illegal activities and platform terms. They must also inform users that violations may lead to content removal or account suspension.
2. Content Takedown and Compliance Timeline
Platforms must remove unlawful content within 24 hours upon receiving complaints relating to sexual content involving women or children. For other categories of unlawful content, intermediaries must act “expeditiously” upon receiving a government or court order.
3. Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO)
Every intermediary must appoint a Grievance Officer, publish contact details and resolve user complaints within 15 days. This ensures a direct mechanism for citizens to seek redress on content removal, user safety or platform actions.
4. Additional Duties for Significant Social Media Intermediaries
SSMIs — typically large platforms — must comply with enhanced obligations:
- Appointment of Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
- Nodal Contact Person available 24×7 for law enforcement
- Resident Grievance Officer
- Monthly compliance reports on takedown actions
- Traceability for specific cases involving serious crimes (under legal order)
These measures aim to increase accountability in high-impact platforms.
Digital Media Ethics Code: Rules for Online News and OTT Platforms
The IT Rules 2021 introduce a structured three-tier regulatory framework for digital publishers, including news media and OTT services.
Tier-I: Self-Regulation by Publishers
Digital news publishers must adhere to the Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable TV Networks Act. OTT platforms must classify content based on age ratings such as U, U/A 7+, 13+, 16+ and A.
Tier-II: Self-Regulating Bodies
Publishers may join self-regulatory bodies headed by a retired judge or eminent person. These bodies hear appeals and issue guidance on compliance with the ethics code.
Tier-III: Oversight by the Government
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) forms an oversight mechanism, including:
- An Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC)
- Powers to issue advisories or warnings
- Ability to order content modification or removal
This tier ensures final oversight when self-regulation mechanisms fail.
User Safety, Accountability and India’s Evolving Digital Governance
A major focus of the IT Rules 2021 is user safety, especially for women, minors and vulnerable groups. Platforms must enable voluntary account verification, deploy automated tools to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and ensure heightened transparency in moderation actions.
The updated 2023 rules expand obligations related to:
- False information (fake news)
- Online harms and risk mitigation
- Accountability of digital platforms during societal crises
As India’s digital ecosystem continues to grow, the IT Rules 2021 serve as the backbone for balancing innovation, user rights and platform responsibility.
Key Takeaways
- The IT Rules 2021 regulate digital media, social platforms and intermediaries.
- Intermediaries must ensure transparency, user safety and fast grievance redressal.
- SSMIs face stricter obligations, including compliance officers and monthly reports.
- Digital news and OTT platforms must follow a three-tier self-regulatory structure.
- Updated 2023 rules strengthen accountability around safety and misinformation.