Delhi HC asks government if it is contemplating policy to regulate addiction causing features on social media apps
The Delhi High Court has requested the Indian government to clarify if it plans to regulate addictive design features on social media, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay. The court is considering a PIL that argues these features are architecturally designed to capture user attention and cause addiction.
Why it matters
This case represents a growing global trend of legal scrutiny regarding the psychological impact of social media algorithms on youth.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) asked the Centre to respond on whether it was contemplating a policy to regulate addiction-causing design features on social media platforms like infinite scroll and autoplay.
A bench of Justices Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Amit Sharma said it would hear, after three weeks, a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking constitution of an expert committee to examine engagement-maximising and addiction-causing design features on social media platforms.
On being asked by the court whether the Centre was contemplating framing a policy on the issue, additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said he does not have specific instructions on this.
To this, the bench orally said, “you take instructions whether you are contemplating framing of a policy and we will have the matter after three weeks”.
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