India Considers Expanding Online Content Takedown Powers Beyond IT Ministry

• India is exploring extending online content takedown authority to ministries beyond the IT Ministry, according to sources.
• Currently, only the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) can issue content takedown orders under the IT Act.
• Officials are reviewing a framework that would enable secretaries in other key ministries to exercise similar powers.
• Sources indicate that no amendment to the IT Act would be required to implement this change, though no final decision has been made.
• Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently urged social media platforms to take responsibility for moderating content.