The Lok Sabha witnessed stormy scenes on the opening day of the session as the government introduced the Digital Governance Bill, 2026. The legislation, described by the IT Minister as "comprehensive reform for the digital age," drew sharp criticism from opposition benches.
What the Bill Proposes
The bill creates a Digital India Authority with powers to regulate social media platforms, mandate algorithmic transparency, and enforce content removal timelines. It also introduces a licensing framework for large digital intermediaries and establishes user data portability rights.
- Mandatory content removal within 24 hours for flagged material
- Algorithmic audit requirements for platforms with over 50 million users
- Data localization provisions for sensitive personal information
- New Digital India Authority as an independent regulatory body
The Debate
Opposition leaders argued the bill gives the government excessive power to control online speech. Congress's Rahul Gandhi called it "a censorship charter disguised as governance reform." Several independent MPs raised concerns about the impact on startups and innovation.
"Digital governance should protect citizens from platforms, not give the state a backdoor to silence dissent," said TMC MP Mahua Moitra during the debate.
The government maintains the bill is necessary to combat misinformation, protect children online, and ensure accountability from technology giants. The bill has been referred to a standing committee, with a report expected within 90 days.
