The Indian government has drastically cut the deadline for removing unlawful online content to within three hours. This move, announced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, significantly escalates oversight of social media platforms operating in the country.

Authorities now demand swift action on content deemed illegal under Indian law, including hate speech, defamation, and content threatening national security. Modi government officials framed this as necessary to protect citizens and maintain order in the digital space, though it raises immediate concerns about operational burdens and potential censorship. The directive targets major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, which must now establish dedicated grievance officers and rapid response teams to comply.