Karnataka is drafting the Responsible Social Media & Digital Safety Bill, 2026, aiming to use artificial intelligence to accelerate content moderation and strengthen protections for online users.

The state is also preparing the Karnataka Digital Safety & Social Media Regulatory Bill, 2026, with a focus on AI-driven moderation and robust user safeguards.

Under the new framework, platforms would be required to address harmful content within 24 to 48 hours, moving from advisory guidance to enforceable action.

At the center, context includes the IT Rules 2026 proposal with a three-hour takedown requirement and expanded SGI regulation, alongside the ongoing IT Act and IT Intermediary Guidelines–Digital Media Ethics Code.

The bills tie digital safety to mental well-being, prioritizing digital awareness, media literacy, and programs to promote fact-checking and responsible online behavior among youth.

The bill signals a shift from central laws like the Information Technology Act 2000 toward a state-level, citizen-focused governance model that could set a precedent for other states.

Implementation will unfold in phases, beginning with awareness campaigns and infrastructure, advancing to technology integration (including fake news detection and deepfake tracking) and culminating in full enforcement.

During the March state budget, CM Siddaramaiah proposed banning social media for users under 16, a move echoed by Goa and Andhra Pradesh pursuing similar minor-access restrictions.

State-level measures reflect an increased regulatory focus on social media, supplementing central laws like the IT Act 2000 and IT Rules 2021.

Goa and Andhra Pradesh are considering similar social media restrictions, joining Karnataka in addressing online addiction, cyberbullying, and child safety online, amid broader IT Rules 2026 proposals.

A Karnataka Digital Safety and Social Media Regulatory Authority would be established to monitor compliance and identify platform threats, enabling faster, region-specific responses.

AI-focused provisions include mandatory content labeling with clear definitions and penalties to curb deepfakes and synthetic content, plus requirements for platforms to act on harmful content within 24 to 48 hours.