MeitY sends notices to these social media giants over Child Sexual Abuse Material

It also underlined that non-compliance with these requirements "will be deemed a breach of Rule 3(1)(b) and Rule 4(4) of the IT Rules, 2021" and added that any delay in complying with the notices will result in the "withdrawal of their safe harbor protection under Section 79 of the IT Act, which currently shields them from legal liability."

"The Government is determined to build a safe and trusted internet under the IT rules. The IT rules under the IT Act lays down strict expectations from social media intermediaries that they should not allow criminal or harmful posts on their platforms. If they do not act swiftly, their safe harbour under section 79 of the IT Act would be withdrawn and consequences under the Indian law will follow," the minister added.

Notably, the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, provides the legal framework for addressing pornographic content, including CSAM. Sections 66E, 67, 67A, and 67B of the IT Act impose stringent penalties and fines for the online transmission of obscene or pornographic content.

Section 79 of the IT Act shields social media intermediaries from legal liability related to the content posted by users on their platforms.