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Govt Debunks Viral Claim, Says I-T Dept Has No Blanket Access To Private Digital Data Under New Act
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PIB Fact Check says these powers are restricted to formal search and survey operations.
The powers cannot be used for routine information gathering/processing, or even for cases under scrutiny assessment, the income tax department said.
The government on Monday dismissed a social media claim suggesting that the income tax department will gain sweeping powers to access private digital data such as emails and social media accounts from April 1, 2026, calling the information “misleading”.
In a post on X, PIB Fact Check clarified that a claim made by the handle @IndianTechGuide had incorrectly interpreted provisions of the Income Tax Act, 2025. The IndianTechGuide’s post had alleged that the tax department would have blanket “authority” to access citizens’ digital platforms to curb tax evasion.
“A post by @IndianTechGuide claims that from April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Department will have the ‘authority’ to access your social media, emails, and other digital platforms to curb tax evasion. PIBFactCheck. The claim being made in this post is misleading,” PIB Fact Check said.
Terming the claim “misleading”, PIB Fact Check said that the relevant provisions under Section 247 of the Income Tax Act, 2025, are narrowly defined and apply only in specific circumstances. According to the clarification, the provisions of section 247 of the Income Tax Act 2025 are strictly limited to Search and Survey operations. “Unless a taxpayer is undergoing a formal search operation due to evidence of significant tax evasion, the department has no power to access their private digital spaces,” PIB said.
The government emphasised that the Income Tax Department does not have the authority to access private digital spaces for routine information gathering, processing of returns or even during scrutiny assessments. Such powers, PIB Fact Check said, are meant exclusively for cases involving black money and large-scale tax evasion uncovered during authorised search and survey actions.
“The powers cannot be used for routine information gathering/processing, or even for cases under scrutiny assessment. These measures are specifically designed to target black money and large-scale evasion during search and survey, not the everyday law-abiding citizen,” it added.
It further pointed out that the ability of tax authorities to seize documents and evidence during search and survey operations is not new and has existed since the enactment of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The 2025 law, it said, does not expand these powers to cover ordinary, law-abiding taxpayers.
“The power to seize documents and evidence during search and survey operations has existed since the 1961 Act,” it added.
The clarification comes amid growing public concern and online speculation around data privacy and surveillance following the passage of the Income Tax Act, 2025. The government’s response seeks to reassure taxpayers that there is no change in the scope of routine tax administration and that private digital communications remain protected unless a taxpayer is subject to a legally sanctioned search operation.
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December 22, 2025, 18:04 IST
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Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for March 25, 2026 – check list – The Times of India
Stock market recommendations: Aurobindo Pharma, Infosys, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) – these are the stocks that Mehul Kothari, DVP – Technical Research at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers has recommended as top stocks to buy today (March 25, 2026):Aurobindo Pharma – Breakout with Momentum ConfirmationBuy: ₹1280–₹1260 | Stop Loss: ₹1235 | Target: ₹1390Aurobindo Pharma has delivered a decisive breakout after several weeks of consolidation, indicating a potential resumption of the uptrend. The stock had been trading within a narrow range, forming a strong base before this upward move. From a technical standpoint, the setup appears constructive with multiple indicators aligning in favor of the bulls. The DMI reflects a positive bias, suggesting strengthening directional momentum, while the RSI has moved above the 60 mark, indicating strong buying interest and improving trend strength. Additionally, the MACD has given a bullish crossover above the zero line, confirming a shift in momentum toward the upside. This confluence of breakout and momentum signals points toward a continuation of the upward move, provided the stock sustains above the breakout zone.Infosys – Bullish Divergence Indicating Potential ReversalBuy: ₹1270–₹1240 | Stop Loss: ₹1175 | Target: ₹1375Infosys is showing early signs of a potential reversal as momentum indicators begin to diverge from price action. While the stock has been forming lower lows, the RSI has been making higher lows, indicating a clear bullish divergence and suggesting that selling pressure is gradually weakening. Adding to this, the MACD has given a bullish crossover, reflecting improving momentum and a possible shift in short-term trend direction. This combination of RSI divergence and MACD confirmation points toward emerging accumulation at lower levels. The setup indicates a high probability of a relief rally or short-term recovery as momentum stabilizes.Larsen & Toubro – Oversold Bounce with Positive DivergenceBuy: ₹3400–₹3350 | Stop Loss: ₹3250 | Target: ₹3600Larsen & Toubro appears to be nearing exhaustion in its recent downtrend, with momentum indicators signaling a potential bounce. Despite the extended decline in price, the RSI is not making fresh lower lows, indicating positive divergence and a gradual loss of selling momentum. At the same time, the MACD is positioned in an oversold zone, which typically reflects trend exhaustion and increases the probability of a reversal or technical pullback. The alignment of these indicators suggests that the stock may witness a short-term recovery if buying interest emerges near current levels.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
Market data shows the amount of oil trade rose before the US President said he would postpone attacks on Iran’s power plants.
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Five adverts for supplements claiming to treat symptoms of the menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and other women’s hormonal issues have been banned.
Ads for the food supplement brands 222 Balance Me, Lunera, Minerva and Nova Menopause Vitality all claimed that their products could prevent, treat or cure the symptoms of the menopause.
An ad and website for PolyBiotics implied their food supplements could prevent, cure or treat PCOS.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it looked especially closely at ads which could take advantage of people’s health worries, emotional concerns, or financial pressures.
The most recent rulings followed an AI-powered sweep of health claims in online ads by the watchdog, which it said had revealed emerging and ongoing issues around misleading claims.
The ASA said “many” of the claims in the ads were “unacceptable” and had not only broken a number of the authority’s rules but risked misleading vulnerable people, or steering those who needed it away from appropriate medical advice.
222 Collective told the ASA it was a new, founder-run small business and still learning about the requirements of advertising regulations.
The firm acknowledged that wording in the ads may have “inadvertently implied that the product could treat or relieve symptoms such as PMS, menopause-related symptoms, anxiety, bloating, heavy bleeding, or mood disorders”.
They had since been working with Trading Standards to ensure they did not make explicit or implied disease or symptom treatment claims.
Lunera said it accepted that its claims would be understood by consumers to attribute a medicinal property to a food supplement and should not have appeared.
PolyBiotics told the ASA it accepted that references to PCOS, ovulation, fertility, cycle regulation, insulin resistance and related symptoms constituted disease treatment or symptom-management claims, which were not permitted for food supplements.
Minerva and Nova did not respond to the ASA’s enquiries.
ASA investigations manager Catherine Drewett said: “When it comes to women’s health, people deserve clear and accurate information.
“Ads making misleading claims about treating symptoms of the menopause, PCOS and other hormonal conditions can cause real harm and today’s rulings hold advertisers to account.
“We’ll continue to monitor this sector closely and we encourage anyone with concerns about an ad they’ve seen to get in touch.”
Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for March 25, 2026 – check list – The Times of India
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