NEW DELHI: The Indian government on Friday announced changes to its information technology (IT) regulations that will apply to social media companies, a move likely seen as curbing big tech companies.

Under the amended rules, which take effect on October 28, a government panel would be formed to hear user complaints about content moderation decisions made by social media platforms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has had strained ties with many big tech companies, and New Delhi has tightened regulation of companies like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Tension over social media content decisions has been a particularly sensitive issue in India, as companies often receive takedown requests from the government or proactively remove content.

Social media companies are already required to have an internal complaints officer and designate executives to coordinate with law enforcement officials.

Under the amended rules, companies would have to acknowledge user complaints within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days or 72 hours in the case of a request to remove information.

In June, the government issued draft amendments to the IT Act that would require companies “to respect the rights accorded to citizens under the Constitution of India” and proposed the establishment of a governing body.

The Indian government is concerned that users who are upset about decisions to remove their content do not have a proper system to appeal those decisions and that their only legal remedy is to go to court.

“A number of (technology) intermediaries have violated the constitutional rights of Indian citizens,” the government said in June, without naming a company or specific rights.

The governing body consists of a chair and two full-time members, two of whom will be independent members.