The Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified misleading claims suggesting that the Income Tax Department (ITD) will gain sweeping powers for ITD social media access from April 1, 2026. A post on X by @IndianTechGuide falsely implied mass digital surveillance. The government emphasized that law-abiding citizens will not face routine monitoring.
Under Section 247 of the Income Tax Act, 2025, the ITD can exercise social media and digital account access only during formal search and survey operations. Officials must have credible evidence of serious tax evasion to act. The authority to seize documents and digital evidence has existed since the Income Tax Act of 1961. The updated law simply aligns these powers with modern digital records, such as emails, cloud storage, and social media platforms, to enhance investigations.
The PIB further stressed that the ITD cannot access private digital accounts for routine tax assessments, email monitoring, or data processing. Taxpayers who file accurate returns remain unaffected. The government clarified that these measures focus on curbing black money and large-scale tax evasion, not monitoring citizens’ everyday digital communications. This ensures privacy rights remain protected while modernizing tax enforcement.
Experts note that the clarification addresses growing concerns over digital privacy. While the ITD can now utilize digital and social media access tools, authorities may use them only when evidence suggests serious tax irregularities. The government assured citizens that the powers are strictly procedural, include safeguards to prevent misuse, and do not allow arbitrary or blanket digital monitoring. The aim is to strengthen ITD social media access for legitimate tax enforcement while safeguarding privacy in the digital era. no misuse or arbitrary surveillance occurs.
