This page provides important information for users in India about Synthetically Generated Information under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and the Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, as amended in 2026.
This page should be read together with the applicable Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and any other policies governing your use of Hinge. These rules apply to all content and behaviour on Hinge. They prohibit using Hinge to send or post content that’s illegal in your jurisdiction, or for any illegal activity.
What is Synthetically Generated Information (SGI)?
Under the IT Amendment Rules, 2026, Synthetically Generated Information refers to audio, visual, or audio-visual content that has been artificially or algorithmically created, generated, modified, or altered using a computer resource, in a way that makes it appear real, authentic, or true and that depicts or portrays a person or real-world event in a way that is, or is likely to be perceived as indistinguishable from reality.
In simple terms: if AI or a similar tool has been used to fabricate or significantly alter how a person looks, sounds, or what they appear to be doing, or how a real-world event appears and the result looks or sounds real, that content is likely SGI.
Does this apply to basic photo editing or filters?
Generally, no. Under the IT Amendment Rules, 2026, routine or good-faith edits to photos and videos are not considered SGI if they do not materially alter, distort or misrepresent the substance, context, or meaning of the underlying content. Examples include:
- Routine photo enhancements such as brightness, color adjustment, or noise reduction that do not materially change what the image depicts
- Image compression or formatting
- Accessibility improvements, such as captions, transcription, or translation, that do not alter the core content
AI-generated text, such as profile bios or conversation prompts, falls outside the definition of SGI which covers audio, visual, and audio-visual content. It remains subject to the applicable Terms of Use and Community Guidelines.
What is Hinge’s policy on SGI?
Our platforms are designed for authentic self-expression and genuine connection. Our Terms of Use and Community Guidelines require users to provide accurate information and prohibit users from misrepresenting their identity or sharing untrue content — and that means your profile, photos, and content must honestly represent who you are.
Consistent with these principles, uploading or sharing SGI on our platforms may result in content removal, account suspension, or a permanent ban.
What types of SGI are specifically prohibited under Indian law?
Indian law prohibits certain types of SGI, including:
- Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII): SGI depicting a real person in an intimate or sexual content without their consent
- Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): Any SGI that sexually depicts or exploits minors
- Obscene or sexually explicit: SGI that is obscene, pornographic, vulgar, indecent, sexually explicit or invasive or another person’s privacy, including bodily privacy.
- False documents or electronic records: SGI that results in the creation, generation, modification or alteration of a false or false electronic records (such as government IDs)
- Explosives or Weapons-related content: SGI that depicts, promotes, or facilitates access to weapons
- Deceptive impersonation/Deepfakes: SGI that falsely portray a real person — including a public figure, private individual, or another user — as doing or saying something they did not.
Uploading, posting, transmitting or sharing unlawful SGI may violate Hinge Community Guidelines and Terms of Use and may result in penalties or punishment under the applicable Indian laws, such as the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
Such conduct may also result in content removal, account suspension or termination and, where required under applicable law, disclosure of your information and/or mandatory reporting of the offence to a competent authority, among other consequences.