Synopsis
Karnataka’s proposed digital safety bill seeks to tighten social media regulation with AI-led moderation, mandatory labelling of synthetic content, and quicker action on harmful posts. User safety, especially for younger audiences, stricter timelines and institutional oversight to enforce compliance are among its other aims.What are the proposed rules by Karnataka to tighten control on social media?
The proposed Karnataka Responsible Social Media & Digital Safety Bill, 2026, has been drafted by the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission. Per the Times of India, the bill is now expected to be reviewed by the state legal department before a possible introduction in the monsoon session of the legislature. The monsoon session for the state is expected to begin between June and July.
The draft bill is not yet available to the public. It is expected to be implemented in phases, beginning with awareness initiatives and with the setup of relevant institutional infrastructure, followed by technology integration until full enforcement of the rules.
What are the AI-focussed rules that could be made part of the bill?
According to the report, the draft bill proposes mandatory content labelling requirements, supported by clear legal definitions and penalties, to curb deepfakes and synthetic content. Further, social media platforms may be pressed to take action on harmful content within 24 to 48 hours.
A key institutional feature is the proposed Karnataka Digital Safety and Social Media Regulatory Authority, which would be responsible for monitoring compliance and identifying threats on platforms.
Additionally, users would be able to report harmful content and seek protection against harassment and misinformation while being able to track their grievance redressal within a time-bound framework.
The report also revealed that the bill connects digital safety with mental well-being, particularly for younger users. Hence, it also prioritises digital awareness and media literacy, with plans to design programmes that encourage fact-checking, critical thinking, and responsible online behaviour.
Is this the first time such rules have been proposed?
No, aside from Karnataka, two more Indian states — Goa and Andhra Pradesh — are considering similar restrictions on social media in a bid to tackle online addiction and cyberbullying and ensure the safety of children online.
Meanwhile, the Centre has also proposed draft IT rules, 2026, which include a three-hour takedown rule, expanded scope through revised stakeholder definitions, and regulations on synthetically generated information (SGI).
During the state budget speech in March this year, CM Siddaramaiah proposed banning social media for users under 16 years of age. Similarly, Goa and Andhra Pradesh are also exploring bills to restrict social media usage for minors, in some cases targeting those between the ages of 13 and 16.
These state-level measures indicate that social media regulation is increasingly becoming a priority for states. States are proposing their own frameworks with more localised oversight and accountability, even as central laws such as the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, remain in place.
