India Eyes Regulatory Overhaul to Rein in AI, Deepfakes in Digital Media Ecosystem
February 26, 2026
Digital platforms must take responsibility for hosted content, ensure fair revenue sharing with news publishers, independent creators, and researchers, and protect innovation and public trust.
Regulate AI-generated content by requiring consent for faces, voices, or personas used, and prevent synthetically created content without permission.
Disinformation and deepfakes pose serious risks to democracy and societal trust, reshaping how citizens perceive established social structures.
The event examined regulatory changes’ impact on stakeholders, weighing benefits and costs to maintain a competitive and inclusive digital media ecosystem in India.
Courts and parliamentary committees are scrutinizing platform impacts, signaling a push for a regulatory reset of India’s digital ecosystem.
Global precedents show countries mandating payment to news publishers, suggesting India may pursue similar legal mechanisms if voluntary reforms fall short.
Learning from other countries’ regulatory approaches, with recent parliamentary actions addressing online gaming addiction and cyber fraud contextually guiding platform accountability.
Efforts to curb deepfakes are part of the regulatory push, aligned with global trends including age-based restrictions seen in other nations.
DNPA conclave brought together officials and industry leaders to discuss governance, regulation, and the balance between innovation and trust in AI-driven media.
Panels explored how AI is transforming newsroom workflows, content creation, distribution, and audience engagement, alongside evolving regulatory impacts on digital communications.
Australia’s example of compelling platforms to compensate media outlets is cited as a reference for potential Indian regulatory action if voluntary reforms fail.
The event underscored the need for a competitive, inclusive digital environment for news and information, with focus on governance, accountability, and an evolving media ecosystem.
Summary based on 24 sources
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Sources

The Times Of India • Feb 26, 2026
DNPA Conclave 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw says social media platforms must fairly share revenue with content creaters
The HinduBusinessline • Feb 26, 2026
Ashwini Vaishnaw calls for fair revenue sharing, warns platforms on deepfakes
Deccan Herald • Feb 26, 2026
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urges digital platforms for regulation, 'fair revenue sharing' with creators