The rapid growth of social media platforms has completely changed the way people communicate, share information and consume digital content in modern society. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) have made it easier for individuals to upload videos, photographs, music, reels and other creative works within seconds. Although this digital revolution has increased access to information and freedom of expression, it has also resulted in a significant rise in copyright infringement cases across online platforms. Unauthorized sharing, reproduction and distribution of copyrighted content have become common practices on social media websites.

This begs the question of when and how social media companies can be liable for their users' copyright infringement. In India, Copyright is protected under the Copyright Act of 1957 and we grant some immunity to intermediaries as per Section 79 of Information Technology(IT)Act of2000. Nevertheless, this protection is conditional and contingent on the intermediary meeting due diligence requirements. Several significant judgments by Indian courts have also been instrumental in defining the contours of intermediary liability.

In this article, the researcher has discussed the liability of social media platforms for copyright infringement under Indian law. The researcher has explained the legal framework relating to intermediary liability, the protection given to intermediaries, important judicial interpretations, practical challenges faced in regulating online copyright infringement and the future development of digital copyright laws in India