In a significant development, the Indian government has announced new guidelines for social media platforms and digital news outlets. The new rules require social media companies like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp to identify the originators of “mischievous” messages and digital news platforms to appoint a grievance officer to address user complaints. These guidelines aim to regulate digital content and hold tech giants accountable for the content shared on their platforms. The move comes amid growing concerns about fake news, misinformation, and the spread of harmful content online. The government has also mandated that social media companies must remove illegal content within 36 hours of receiving a complaint. Failure to comply with the new regulations could result in these platforms losing their intermediary status, which provides them immunity from legal action over content posted by users. Additionally, the rules require social media companies to provide users with a mechanism to verify their accounts and disclose the origin of any viral content. This move is seen as an effort by the Indian government to assert more control over the digital space and ensure that social media platforms are held accountable for the content shared on their platforms. The guidelines have sparked a debate on freedom of speech and censorship in the country, with some critics expressing concerns about potential misuse of these rules to stifle dissent and suppress freedom of expression. It remains to be seen how these new regulations will be implemented and their impact on the digital landscape in India.