• India mandates social media companies to take down unlawful content within three hours of notification.
• The new rule significantly tightens the previous 36-hour timeframe.
• Global scrutiny on social media regulations is escalating, with demands for greater accountability.
• The amended rules will start from February 20 and have been criticized by digital rights advocates.
• AI-generated content labeling requirements have also been modified in the new regulations.

The Indian government announced on Tuesday that social media companies must remove unlawful content within three hours of being notified, a significant reduction from the previous 36-hour deadline. This change applies to major platforms including Meta, YouTube, and X, and will take effect from February 20, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

This regulatory adjustment reinforces India's stance as a stringent regulator in the digital space. The modified law comes at a time when there is increased global pressure on social media platforms to enhance their content moderation efforts amid rising concerns over censorship and accountability. The directive, however, is met with skepticism as observers question the practicality of such swift compliance timelines, as highlighted by Akash Karmakar, a technology law partner, who stated, "It's practically impossible for social media firms to remove content in three hours," according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Moreover, the new regulations also revise earlier proposals requiring platforms to prominently label AI-generated content, moving away from a more stringent requirement of marking 10% of the content's area. This alteration reflects continued efforts to shape the legal landscape governing digital content dissemination in India, raising questions about the balance between regulatory oversight and freedom of speech, as discussed in SCMP and Reuters.

In recent years, India's government has issued thousands of takedown orders, reinforcing its authority to regulate online speech under various legal grounds, including national security and public order. This trend of legislation has often invited criticism and resistance from digital rights advocates and major tech companies alike, reflecting an ongoing tension in India’s digital governance landscape, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.