The Indian Army has been granted the authority to issue direct takedown notices for online posts deemed harmful or potentially damaging to security and operational interests. The new regulation permits the military to swiftly intervene and mitigate the risks posed by content on social media or other online platforms that may disclose sensitive information, incite unrest, or compromise defense strategies.

Under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, the Ministry of Defence has designated a senior army officer, the Additional Directorate General (ADG) of Strategic Communication in the Indian Army, as the "nodal officer" with the authority to notify social media intermediaries, including takedown notices, about unlawful content about the Indian army and its components. the Indian Army had previously depended on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to have offensive material about the military forcibly removed or blocked.

Industry experts indicate that tech companies are expected to cooperate with the new regulation, given the growing importance of responsible content management. Compliance from major platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube will be crucial in ensuring the efficacy of this policy. Army officials are discussing with leading social media platforms to set up a dedicated response protocol, aiming for minimal disruption to civilian content and online interaction.

While defence analysts and some public safety advocates have lauded the move as necessary for national security, it has also raised concerns about potential overreach. Free speech advocates worry that empowering the Army with direct takedown authority might lead to over-censorship, with some calling for checks and balances to prevent misuse. Legal experts have suggested that the policy include judicial or parliamentary oversight to ensure that content takedown decisions are objective, justified, and balanced against freedom of expression.