India’s deepfake regulations, implemented on February 20, 2026, have seen limited enforcement despite a four-month window, according to medianama.com. The rules mandate platforms to label AI-generated content, require users to declare synthetic content before uploading, and enforce swift removal of flagged deepfakes—within three hours generally and two hours for non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). However, multiple cases reveal ongoing violations and platform inaction.
One notable instance involves Bollywood actor Preity Zinta, who secured permission from the Bombay High Court to sue Google and 15 others over AI-generated deepfake content. This legal recourse highlights the failure of platforms to comply with the regulations. Another case detailed by MediaNama involved a woman targeted by AI-generated nude images on Instagram reels. Despite the rules, Meta initially claimed the content did not violate its Community Standards, delaying removal beyond the mandated two-hour window for NCII content.
These enforcement gaps underscore challenges in regulating synthetic media amid rising AI-generated misinformation and abuse. The rules, part of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, represent one of the earliest attempts globally to control deepfakes. Yet, the persistence of unlabelled AI content and slow platform responses contrast with the regulatory intent, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current mechanisms.
The Preity Zinta case remains active in the Bombay High Court as of June 2026, with ongoing scrutiny of platform compliance. Meanwhile, investigations continue into other reported violations, including AI apps hosting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that remain available on app stores, highlighting enforcement challenges beyond deepfake content alone.