At 4 pm IST today, I'll moderate an EGF session and Q&A on the impact of online gaming act+rules Among other thing, we'll (🤞🏻) talk about Spiritfarer and Shasn. Join if you can (especially as it will NOT be streamed live or otherwise). Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

In a few minutes, I will moderate a Medianama discussion on the implications of the proposed Rule 3(4) (binding MeitY advisories) of IT Rules. Watch it here: www.youtube.com/live/GX2LVI9...

Now: MeitY has proposed continuous display of AI-generated labels for SGI. Consultation period for this rule + previously proposed amendments (binding advisories+part III application to intermediaries and news content by non-publishers) extended until May 7. H/t: Jikku Varghese Jacob

New: Country of origin, harm posed to users and national security could be used to mandate registration of specific companies, games and categories of games with the Online Gaming Authority, as per discussions within MeitY. Link to full story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-26...

Now: MeitY has extended public consultation on draft amendments to IT Rules by two weeks until April 29.

New: Intermediaries included in Part III of IT Rules to allow MIB to contact lay users who post news content, govt officials told industry in April 7 meeting. Link to story with all the meeting details: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-25...

New: X/Twitter user @nher_who has challenged the Section 69A blocking order against his X account, citing violations of 2009 Blocking Rules. 2nd legal challenge against MeitY's March 18 blocking order; first was by X user @DrNimoYadav. Link to full story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-24...

Now: MeitY has proposed amending the IT Rules 2021 to: 1. Allow MIB to issue blocking orders to intermediaries and for news content posted by users who are not publishers under the notified rules, ie, influencers 2. Make compliance with advisories issued by MeitY binding for intermediaries

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

Now: MeitY has proposed amendments to IT Rules 2021 to deal with synthetically generated information (deepfakes) by labelling them or identifying them using metadata. Additional obligations proposed for SSMIs. Comments invited until November 6. www.meity.gov.in/static/uploa...

Now: Draft Gaming Rules published for public consultation until October 31. Link: www.meity.gov.in/static/uploa...

Now: Twitter is going to appeal The Karnataka High Court judgement on the use of Section 79.3.b to issue blocking orders, on the constitutionality of Rule 3.1.d, and the creation of I4C’s Sahyog portal.

New: The DoT has released draft user identification rules for a 30-day public consultation. The rules propose requiring all telecom entities to create a biometric identity verification system, amongst other things. Read all the details here: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-13...

New: Detailed interview with IT Secretary S. Krishnan on the fine print of the Online Gaming Bill. thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-12...

Analysis: Of the Online Gaming Bill. What is covered? What is not? So much power with the Centre! Link to full article: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-11...

New: MeitY met four media bodies to discuss two primary issues in the DPDP Act: removal of exemption for journalistic work, and dilution of the RTI Act. Link to article with all the details: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-10...

Now: Details of the “blocking order” issued by MIB against 26 websites and 14 apps for obscenity, vulgarity and pornographic content:

As I reported in my newsletter on July 6:

ICYMI: Now that the two Reuters X accounts have been unblocked in India after MeitY’s intervention, read about the unblocking and re-blocking orders passed last week: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-9-...

New: Karnataka HC has allowed X to challenge part of IT Rules, 2021. Railways ministry sent X a takedown notice on June 26. Digipub's intervention application not admitted but to be heard along with the matter. + details of govt’s submissions Link to full story: open.substack.com/pub/thetecht...

New: Proton is challenging Karnataka HC's April 29 blocking order against Proton Mail on 3 grounds: 1. Proton gave information about one email address to Swiss justice ministry in February 2025 on receiving a validated request. Link to full story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-7-...

New: Police from TN, MH, WB and Bihar sent X Section 79(3)(b) content takedown notices to get tweets critical or mocking of the respective state governments removed. Link to full story: www.thenewsminute.com/news/tn-maha...

When you break stories but others get cited and credited for copying them days and weeks later *le sigh* #StoryOfMyLife

New: X now wants Karnataka HC to declare Rule 3(1)(d) of IT Rules, 2021 as unconstitutional and ultra vires of the IT Act. It also wants I4C’s Sahyog to be declared ultra vires of the IT Act “and/or” unconstitutional. Link to the full article: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-6-...

New: Digipub and Abhinandan Sekhri filed an intervention application to join X's lawsuit against Indian govt’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act + I4C's Sahyog portal to issue content takedown notices to intermediaries. Link to full article: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-5-...

New: The MIB convened a virtual meeting with major Indian news channels on May 9, telling them to stick to fact-based reporting during the then ongoing Operation Sindoor. Link to detailed story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-3-...

New: The IT parliamentary committee had held a short meeting on fake news on May 7. Meeting was truncated because of developments around Operation Sindoor. Link to detailed story: thetechtrace.substack.com/p/edition-4-...

Now: X accounts of both BBC Urdu and Outlook India have been unblocked in India by MeitY. BBC Urdu was blocked earlier this week and Outlook India earlier today.