Over 99% of Social Media Takedowns Are Platform-Led: MeitY

More than 99% of content removed from social media platforms is taken down under the companies' own community guidelines rather than through government orders, according to S Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Speaking at the Business Today India@100 event, Krishnan said government intervention accounts for only a small fraction of overall online content takedowns. His remarks come amid growing debate over content moderation, government regulation and the role of major social media platforms in deciding what users can post online.

“More than 99% of takedowns happen on the basis of the community guidelines of the various social media companies themselves,” Krishnan said.

Government Has Limited Powers to Block Online Content

Krishnan said the government's authority to block online content under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act is limited to specific grounds provided under the law.

These include concerns related to the security and defence of India, public order and friendly relations with foreign countries.

According to him, the government cannot order the removal of online content simply because an official finds it objectionable. Any blocking order must meet the legal requirements laid down under the Information Technology Act.

Krishnan said Section 69A is used sparingly and with restraint, with authorities required to establish that the content falls within one of the legally specified grounds.

What Happens When Online Content Is Flagged?

An authorised government agency or official can notify a social media platform if certain content is believed to violate Indian law.

According to Krishnan, authorities can also inform platforms that the individual responsible for posting such content could face criminal action. Intermediaries may also face legal consequences if they fail to comply with applicable laws.

He referred to Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, which provides safe-harbour protection to intermediaries for third-party content, subject to compliance with conditions prescribed under the law.

In cases involving alleged violations, platforms may be required to remove the content or risk losing legal protections and facing further action.

Social Media Platforms Make Most Content Moderation Decisions

Krishnan's remarks highlight the significant role played by social media companies in content moderation.

Major platforms such as Facebook and Instagram operate their own community guidelines and internal moderation systems. According to the MeitY Secretary, these platform-led policies account for the overwhelming majority of content removals in India.

He said global technology companies must also understand the cultural and linguistic context of the countries where they operate.

This becomes particularly important when moderating content involving violence, sexual abuse and other forms of harm, where the nature of an incident may not always be apparent through a purely visual assessment.

Krishnan said platforms cannot rely solely on narrow technical definitions while assessing harmful content and must consider the broader context surrounding what is being shown or communicated.

Why India's Cultural Context Matters in Content Moderation

The MeitY Secretary stressed that social media companies operating across different countries need to remain sensitive to local cultural and linguistic contexts.

He cited situations where the harmful nature of content may not be immediately visible but could become clear when assessed within its broader social and cultural context.

The debate over content moderation, platform responsibility and government regulation is not limited to India. Krishnan said major democracies around the world are facing similar challenges as governments and technology companies attempt to balance free expression, user safety and legal accountability.