Government Clarifies: Income Tax Department to Monitor Only Select Taxpayers’ Social Media Accounts

Income Tax Department’s Digital Surveillance: What You Need to Know

Amid speculation regarding the new Income Tax Bill 2025, the government has clarified that not all taxpayers will be subject to social media monitoring by the Income Tax Department. Instead, scrutiny will be limited to specific cases related to tax investigations and raids.

No Blanket Surveillance on Taxpayers’ Social Media

Dispelling rumors, the Income Tax Department confirmed that under the new law, it will not monitor social media accounts of all taxpayers. Instead, digital devices, including computers, will only be examined during official tax raids.

Confidentiality Will Be Maintained

The department assured taxpayers that even if an individual comes under investigation, confidentiality will be strictly maintained. These provisions were already included in the Income Tax Act of 1961 and will be reiterated in the 2025 Income Tax Bill.

Clarification on Online Monitoring

Dismissing misinformation, the department stated that claims suggesting it would gain access to personal emails, cloud storage, and social media handles of all taxpayers are baseless. Officials emphasized that they do not spy on individuals’ online activities unless warranted by an official probe.

When Can the Department Access Digital Accounts?

An official from the Income Tax Department explained that access to online platforms such as email, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram would only be sought during a search operation or when a taxpayer refuses to provide credentials related to financial investigations.

No Unwarranted Monitoring Under the New Law

To summarize, the revised tax law does not authorize mass surveillance of social media activities. The Income Tax Department’s digital scrutiny will remain limited to targeted cases involving suspected tax evasion.