Why Reddit content spreads quickly

Subreddits operate as semi public communities with low moderation latency. Once a thread surfaces in a default feed it can reach millions of impressions inside an hour, and reposting across subreddits is trivial.

India legal framework

Information Technology Act 2000 sections 66E (violation of privacy) and 67/67A (publishing or transmitting obscene or sexually explicit material), plus BNS section 77 (replacing IPC s.354C). Section 66E: up to 3 years imprisonment or fine up to INR 2 lakh. Section 67A: first conviction up to 5 years and INR 10 lakh fine, subsequent up to 7 years.

The civil erasure right under Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (right to erasure under section 12) is enforceable against Reddit regardless of where Reddit processes the data, where the data subject is in India.

Reddit removal route

Reddit accepts statutory takedown notices through its dedicated non consensual intimate imagery form and through its DMCA agent. Both routes trigger Reddit's safety review pipeline.

Reddit is a covered platform under 47 USC 223a. Reddit's Section 230 protections do not insulate it from the 48 hour removal obligation under the TAKE IT DOWN Act once a compliant notice is filed.

Evidence preservation specific to Reddit

Capture the post id, the subreddit name, the username, and the permalink. Reddit deletes posts when the original poster removes them, which destroys the URL but not the cached image. Save the image directly and record the timestamp.

Five step removal process

  1. 1

    Capture evidence from Reddit

    Capture the post id, the subreddit name, the username, and the permalink. Reddit deletes posts when the original poster removes them, which destroys the URL but not the cached image. Save the image directly and record the timestamp.

  2. 2

    File Information Technology Act sections 66E and 67/67A criminal complaint

    Report to local police or national cybercrime unit. Cyber Crime Reporting Portal can assist.

  3. 3

    Submit Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (right to erasure under section 12) erasure request to Reddit

    Reddit accepts statutory takedown notices through its dedicated non consensual intimate imagery form and through its DMCA agent. Both routes trigger Reddit's safety review pipeline. The request must identify the URLs and cite the legal basis. DPB India accepts complaints for non compliance.

  4. 4

    Run a biometric scan to find every other hosting location

    Content rarely stays on one platform. ScanErase identifies every current location in a single scan including mirrored copies and AI generated variants of the same image.

  5. 5

    Dispatch parallel TAKE IT DOWN Act notice to Reddit

    Reddit is a covered platform with a 48 hour federal removal obligation. ScanErase files the notice within 5 minutes of authorisation.

Frequently asked questions

Can Reddit be required to remove intimate images of a India resident?

Yes. Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (right to erasure under section 12) gives any data subject in India the right to require erasure. Reddit operates a dedicated NCII removal portal that processes these requests. Where Reddit is also subject to US jurisdiction, the TAKE IT DOWN Act adds a 48 hour federal obligation.

What is the criminal exposure of the person who posted to Reddit from India?

Information Technology Act 2000 sections 66E (violation of privacy) and 67/67A (publishing or transmitting obscene or sexually explicit material), plus BNS section 77 (replacing IPC s.354C). Section 66E: up to 3 years imprisonment or fine up to INR 2 lakh. Section 67A: first conviction up to 5 years and INR 10 lakh fine, subsequent up to 7 years.

How does Reddit verify a India erasure request?

Reddit accepts statutory takedown notices through its dedicated non consensual intimate imagery form and through its DMCA agent. Both routes trigger Reddit's safety review pipeline. DPB India can be petitioned if Reddit fails to act within the statutory window.

Can the India regulator force Reddit to remove content?

Section 79 of the IT Act and the IT Rules 2021 require intermediaries to remove non consensual intimate imagery within 24 hours of complaint to retain safe harbour.

What evidence should I capture from Reddit?

Capture the post id, the subreddit name, the username, and the permalink. Reddit deletes posts when the original poster removes them, which destroys the URL but not the cached image. Save the image directly and record the timestamp.

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