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India's Digital Safety Push: New 24-Hour Rule for Intimate Content Removal

The Indian government has introduced strict new rules to combat non-consensual intimate content online. Platforms now have just 24 hours to remove such material after receiving complaints. Victims can seek help through multiple channels including helpline 1930 and One Stop Centres that provide legal and psychological support. This comprehensive approach aims to create a safer digital environment while protecting individual dignity and privacy.

Key Points: MeitY Issues SOP to Remove Non-Consensual Intimate Content Online

  • Intermediaries must remove reported NCII content within 24 hours of complaint receipt
  • Victims can report through helpline 1930, OSC centers, or cybercrime portals
  • Hash-matching technology prevents reappearance of removed intimate content
  • Government establishes secure NCII hash bank for coordinated enforcement
2 min read

MeitY issues standard operating procedure to curb non-consensual intimate content online

New 24-hour removal mandate for non-consensual intimate content online. Learn reporting options via helpline 1930, OSC centers, and cybercrime portals.

"This initiative aims to provide clear and victim-centric procedures for the swift removal of such objectionable content - MeitY Statement"

New Delhi, Nov 11

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Tuesday released a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) to strengthen mechanisms for the removal and prevention of Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) content on online platforms.

This initiative, developed in compliance with the directions of the Madras High Court, aims to provide clear and victim-centric procedures for the swift removal of such objectionable content and to ensure the effective implementation of Rule 3(2)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

According to the ministry, intermediaries are now required to remove or disable access to reported NCII content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

Victims can report such incidents through multiple avenues, including One Stop Centres (OSCs), intermediaries' in-app reporting systems, the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), or directly to law enforcement agencies.

OSCs will provide victims with assistance in filing complaints through the NCRP, legal aid, and psychological counselling. The NCRP can be accessed online or via the helpline number 1930.

All intermediaries, including Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs), are required to use hash-matching and crawler technologies to prevent the reappearance of the same or similar NCII content.

They must also report the actions taken and coordinate with government portals such as Sahyog, under the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The SoP also details the roles of different government bodies to ensure effective enforcement. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs will act as the central aggregator for NCII complaints and maintain a secure NCII hash bank, while the Department of Telecommunications will coordinate with Internet Service Providers to block flagged URLs.

MeitY will monitor compliance and ensure coordination among intermediaries and other stakeholders.

The government said the SoP marks a significant step towards empowering individuals, particularly women, to reclaim control over their digital identities.

It aims to create a safer online ecosystem by enabling swift redressal, protecting privacy and dignity, and reinforcing accountability across digital platforms.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Good initiative but implementation is key. Hope the intermediaries actually follow through with the 24-hour deadline. The hash-matching technology sounds promising to prevent re-uploads.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in digital safety, I appreciate the multi-channel reporting system. Having OSCs, NCRP, and direct law enforcement options makes it more accessible for victims across different regions and tech literacy levels.
R
Rohit P
The coordination between MeitY, Home Affairs, and DoT is crucial. Often these issues fall between different departments. Hope this brings actual relief to victims rather than just being another policy document.
M
Meera T
While I welcome this move, I'm concerned about awareness. Many women in smaller towns don't know about these portals. The government should run awareness campaigns in regional languages too.
D
David E
The psychological counseling support is a thoughtful addition. The trauma from such incidents can be long-lasting. Good to see a holistic approach rather than just technical solutions.

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