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Karnataka to Hold Consultations on Draft Fake News Bill After Rights Groups Warn of Overreach

Critics caution that broad definitions, special courts, near-impossible bail conditions, unilateral regulatory takedowns could chill speech, clash with central IT norms

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Overview

  • The draft Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025 would criminalize the dissemination of false or misleading content online with penalties of up to seven years in prison
  • The Karnataka government has committed to inter-departmental dialogue and public consultations before formally tabling the legislation
  • Digital rights organizations IFF and SFLC.in, alongside experts such as Aman Taneja, have denounced the bill’s broad definitions of misinformation and fake news as legally vague and prone to abuse
  • Observers warn that the bill’s special courts, near-impossible bail conditions and an empowered regulatory authority could stifle debate through forced content takedowns or blocks
  • Critics warn that state-level mandates risk conflicting with India’s central IT Act and could impose fragmented compliance burdens on social media platforms