New Delhi— The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has extended the deadline for submitting stakeholder suggestions on the proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by two weeks, allowing more time for public consultation.
According to an official notice, stakeholders can now submit their feedback until April 29, instead of the earlier deadline of April 14. The draft amendments were initially published on March 30, inviting comments from individuals, industry players, and civil society groups.
The extension comes after multiple requests and representations from stakeholders seeking additional time to review the proposed changes and submit detailed inputs. The ministry said the move aims to ensure broader participation and a more inclusive consultation process.
MeitY also assured that all submissions will be treated in a fiduciary capacity and will not be disclosed at any stage, encouraging participants to share their views freely without concern over public exposure.
The proposed amendments have sparked a wider debate around online regulation and freedom of expression. Among the key changes under consideration is a requirement for online intermediaries, including social media platforms and digital content creators, to comply not only with existing rules but also with advisories, guidelines, or clarifications issued by the ministry from time to time.
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has strongly opposed the proposed changes, warning that they could significantly expand executive control over online speech. The organisation argued that compliance requirements may become open-ended and unpredictable, potentially weakening “safe harbour” protections for intermediaries.
Describing the move as a step towards “digital authoritarianism,” the IFF has called for the withdrawal of the draft amendments. It has also urged the government to wait for ongoing judicial scrutiny of existing IT Rules and to route any substantial regulatory changes through Parliament rather than executive rule-making.
The extension sets the stage for more extensive stakeholder engagement as the government weighs changes that could reshape India’s digital regulatory landscape.
