India mulls social media code for government employees

The proposed rules could set clear boundaries for officials’ online activity, covering sensitive posts, personal views and inappropriate content as the government responds to growing concerns over digital conduct and AI-generated media.

The Centre is considering a dedicated social media code of conduct for government employees and officers amid growing instances of officials sharing reels, videos and personal views on social media platforms. The proposed framework is expected to establish clearer boundaries for online activity by public servants, particularly when posts involve sensitive or inappropriate subjects.

The matter has reportedly been discussed at senior levels of the government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking top officials to examine the possibility of introducing such guidelines. According to official sources cited in media reports, the proposed code could apply across the government without being limited to a particular rank or category of employees.

Government reviews officials’ online conduct

The move comes against the backdrop of an expanding social media presence among government personnel. Officials have increasingly been seen posting videos and other content highlighting their professional activities and achievements. While social media has become an important channel for public communication, the government is now examining whether clearer rules are required to prevent conduct that could be viewed as inappropriate for public servants.

The proposed framework could cover the nature of content officials are permitted to publish, particularly where posts involve government work, sensitive issues or personal opinions that could potentially affect the perception of public institutions.

However, the government has not yet indicated when the code could be introduced, nor has it disclosed the specific provisions that may form part of the proposed guidelines.

The issue was reportedly raised during a meeting between the Prime Minister and government secretaries. Following the meeting, Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan is understood to have communicated key action points to senior bureaucrats. The discussions also included instructions to accelerate the rollout of the “Ek Bharat” portal, a unified digital platform intended to make government services more accessible to citizens.

Social media rules gain importance amid AI risks

The proposed employee-focused code comes at a time when the government is also tightening requirements for social media and internet platforms. Concerns around deepfakes, manipulated media and AI-generated videos have increased the focus on identifying synthetic content and improving accountability online.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed intermediaries to ensure that permissible AI-generated content is clearly labelled and carries traceable metadata. The objective is to make it easier for users to distinguish synthetically generated material and reduce the possibility of deception or misuse.

These requirements form part of amendments to India’s information technology rules introduced in February. The revised framework also places greater emphasis on platform due diligence and user awareness, including informing users about the legal consequences of uploading unlawful AI-generated material.

Separately, the government recently shortened the period available to social media platforms for removing unlawful information after receiving a valid government or court notice, reducing the deadline from 36 hours to three hours.

Against this evolving regulatory backdrop, a dedicated code for government personnel would add another layer to India’s approach to responsible digital conduct. Its eventual scope and implementation will determine how the government balances employees’ social media activity with the expectations of professionalism, accountability and public service.