India Orders Major Tech Companies to Follow Constitution Under New Content Rules

India's information minister told major technology platforms including YouTube, Meta, X and Netflix they must comply with the country's constitutional framework. The statement follows India's recent decision to require social media companies to remove illegal content within three hours instead of the previous 36-hour deadline.

India’s information minister delivered a strong message to major technology companies on Tuesday, emphasizing that platforms such as YouTube, Meta, X and Netflix must operate according to the nation’s constitutional principles following the implementation of stricter content removal regulations.

The minister made these remarks while attending an artificial intelligence conference in Delhi, where executives from leading AI companies are meeting with world leaders throughout the week.

“It’s very important for the multinationals to understand the cultural context of the country in which they are operating,” Ashwini Vaishnaw stated during his presentation at the India AI Impact Summit.

The previous week saw India announce that social media platforms must now eliminate illegal content within three hours after receiving notification, significantly reducing the former 36-hour deadline in a move that presents new compliance hurdles for Meta, YouTube and X.

Vaishnaw emphasized the necessity for enhanced regulation regarding deepfake technology, noting that discussions with industry representatives on this matter have already begun.

Social media platforms face increasing worldwide demands from governments to monitor content more rigorously, with authorities from Brussels to Brasilia requiring quicker content removal and enhanced responsibility.

On the same day, Spanish authorities directed prosecutors to examine social media platforms X, Meta and TikTok for allegedly distributing AI-created child sexual abuse content, as European officials increase their oversight of major technology companies regarding dangerous and unlawful material.