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2mo ago

India Opens Talks With Social Platforms on Under-16 Access Curbs and Deepfake Rules

Officials signal any change would likely come through updates to IT rules and build on India’s existing requirement for parental consent on minors’ data.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen
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Overview

  • IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government is consulting social media companies on setting age limits and strengthening controls on deepfakes, without a final policy yet.
  • A senior IT ministry official said the Centre is weighing restrictions for users below 16 by amending the IT Rules, with indications it is not considering a blanket ban.
  • India’s DPDP Act already requires verifiable parental consent for processing data of users under 18, and recent IT Rule changes mandate rapid deepfake takedowns and labelling of synthetic content.
  • State-level interest is growing, with Andhra Pradesh and Goa studying under-16 limits and the Madras High Court urging the Union government to examine Australia-style measures.
  • Global moves are shaping the debate as Australia’s ban for under-16s led to mass account removals and reports of circumvention, while France, Spain, the UK, Germany and Ireland pursue or consider age limits and experts warn of enforcement and privacy risks.