Platform Compliance Scorecard
When a lawful removal demand is served in India, platforms do not behave alike. This scorecard records, platform by platform, the statutory hook that applies, the response window we typically observe, and when escalation beyond the notice is required — compiled from RepuLex's own engagements.
The finding across every platform recorded here is the same: user-level reporting is slow and discretionary, while a notice served on the platform's designated grievance channel starts an enforceable clock — 36 hours under IT Rules 2021, and 24 hours for non-consensual intimate imagery under Rule 3(2)(b). Where that window passes without compliance, the escalation is de-indexing at the search layer and, where justified, a High Court application.
As of , the shortest standard-case removal windows RepuLex observes are on Instagram Content, LinkedIn Posts and YouTube Videos (7–14 days); the longest are MouthShut Reviews and TripAdvisor Reviews (14–30 days). Windows are observed from RepuLex engagements, not platform commitments.
Standard-case windows only; urgent and contested lanes are shown separately. Grade: A = 14 days or fewer · B = 21 or fewer · C = 30 or fewer · D = over 30 days, or routinely requires a court order.
| Platform | Standard window (days) | Grade | Urgent lane | Statutory hook & route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Content | 7–14 | A | 72h | Instagram (Meta India) is subject to IT Rules 2021 mandatory takedowns. Morphed images additionally attract Section 67 IT Act. RepuLex files emergency notices for morphed content involving professionals. |
| LinkedIn Posts | 7–14 | A | — | LinkedIn India is subject to IT Rules 2021. Professional defamation on LinkedIn carries additional weight as it directly impacts business relationships and career prospects. RepuLex issues IT Act notices and IPC 499 criminal defamation notices to LinkedIn and the originator simultaneously.Escalation: 14–30 days for contested professional content. |
| YouTube Videos | 7–14 | A | — | YouTube (owned by Google) is subject to IT Act Section 79 and IT Rules 2021. RepuLex issues formal legal notices to YouTube's legal team in India, citing specific legal violations. DMCA takedowns are used where copyright applies.Escalation: 30–60 days for contested content. |
| Facebook Posts & Pages | 7–21 | B | 72h | Meta India is subject to IT Act 2000 and IT Rules 2021. RepuLex issues formal Section 79 notices to Meta's grievance officer in India. For urgent viral content, emergency notices are filed within 4 hours of case acceptance. |
| Google Reviews | 7–21 | B | — | IT Act Section 79 notices to Google India. Google is required under IT Rules 2021 to act within 36 hours on clearly defamatory content. RepuLex escalates to Google's legal team — not standard user reporting.Escalation: 21–45 days for contested content requiring High Court orders. |
| IndiaMART Reviews | 7–21 | B | — | IndiaMART is an Indian platform subject to full IT Act 2000 jurisdiction. RepuLex issues formal IT Act notices and, for clearly defamatory content, pursues criminal defamation under IPC 499/500 against both IndiaMART and the review originator. |
| Quora Posts & Answers | 7–21 | B | — | Quora has India operations and is subject to IT Rules 2021. Quora questions/answers ranking on Google for brand searches can cause significant reputational damage. RepuLex issues IT Act notices and simultaneously pursues Google de-indexing of the Quora pages.Escalation: Google de-indexing confirmed within 7 days of content removal. |
| Twitter / X Posts | 7–21 | B | — | Twitter (X Corp India) must comply with IT Rules 2021. RepuLex files formal grievances with Twitter's India Grievance Officer. For High Court-covered clients, injunction orders are served directly on Twitter.Escalation: High Court injunctions can compel immediate suspension of accounts. |
| MouthShut Reviews | 14–30 | C | — | MouthShut is a Mumbai-based intermediary subject to IT Act 2000 and IT Rules 2021. RepuLex issues IT Act Section 79 notices and, where content is clearly defamatory, IPC 499/500 notices to MouthShut's editors personally.Escalation: 30–60 days where High Court proceedings are needed. |
| TripAdvisor Reviews | 14–30 | C | — | TripAdvisor operates in India and is subject to IT Rules 2021 for clearly defamatory content. RepuLex issues formal IT Act notices to TripAdvisor's India operations and, for systematic campaigns, pursues criminal defamation against the originators.Escalation: High Court injunctions available for severe cases. |
Windows are observed ranges from RepuLex engagements, not platform commitments; the statutory 36-hour obligation under IT Rules 2021 (24 hours for non-consensual intimate imagery under Rule 3(2)(b)) is what a compliant platform must meet once a valid complaint is served. The urgent-lane column records only platforms that operate a distinct emergency channel, and never feeds the ordering. Each platform name links to the full removal guide for that platform.
How to read this
The pattern across platforms is consistent: user-level reporting is slow and discretionary, while a statutory notice served on the platform's designated grievance channel starts an enforceable clock. Where the window passes without compliance, the escalation is de-indexing at the search layer and, where justified, a High Court application — most matters resolve before that stage.
The grade bands observed practice, not the statute. Measured against the 36-hour obligation itself, almost every platform would fail — a grading that separates nothing and tells a reader nothing about which route to expect. Observed response windows recorded across RepuLex engagements: days counted from service of a lawful removal demand on the platform’s designated grievance channel to confirmed removal, standard-complexity matters only.
For the case-level evidence behind these windows — documented matters with platform, route and days-to-removal — see the India Content Removal Index. For a firm-level comparison of the Indian ORM market, see the India ORM Capability Matrix.
Citation: “Platform Compliance Scorecard, RepuLex, August 2026 — repulex.com/resources/platform-compliance-scorecard”. Reuse permitted with attribution. Download this dataset as JSON.