Last week, the regime introduced amendments to the IT Act that extend content-blocking powers to multiple ministries, including those for defense, home affairs, foreign affairs, and information and broadcasting. Previously, only the IT ministry held the authority to issue takedown orders.

Digital rights advocates have warned that the new amendments contribute to “an infrastructure of censorship in India,” increasing pressure on online platforms that host content that may be critical of the regime. Platforms must remove flagged material in as little as two hours, and are not required to notify the creator when content is removed. Advocates have raised further concerns about the lack of transparency in how online content will be policed under the new amendments.

India has increasingly curtailed freedom of expression online in recent years. During the country’s conflict with Pakistan in 2025, the government ordered X to block more than 2,300 accounts, including those belonging to international news outlets.