Advisory By The Ministry Of Electronics And Information Technology For Intermediaries To Take Down Prohibited Content

On September 3, 2024, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ("MeitY") issued an advisory ("September 3^rd Advisory") to intermediaries, advising them to take prompt action in taking down prohibited content from their platforms.

The September 3^rd Advisory directs intermediaries to initiate and complete the content takedown process as soon as it is deemed necessary, without awaiting the expiration of the time limits prescribed under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 ("IDMEC Rules") and to do so, proactively and at the earliest possible opportunity.

In issuing the September 3^rd Advisory, the MeitY referenced an order of the Bombay High Court ("Bombay HC") in National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. vs. Meta Platforms, Inc.¹ ("NSE vs. Meta") where the Bombay HC directed Meta Platforms, Inc. ("Meta") and the other defendants to take down content within 10 (ten) hours of receiving a complaint