The Supreme Court warns that digital media self-regulation is ineffective and signals the need for an independent regulator. Highlighting rapid virality and harmful content, the Court seeks preventive mechanisms, age verification, and AI-assisted moderation for online platforms.

As deepfakes blur the boundary between truth and fiction, India’s draft IT Rules propose strict controls on AI-generated content. While aimed at curbing misuse, these rules ignite a larger debate — can the state protect citizens from deception without crossing into digital censorship?