Will the government check your phone and messages from April 1st? Find out the truth about the new income tax rules..

Income Tax New Rules: A news item circulating on social media these days has left ordinary taxpayers sleepless. A post is rapidly going viral on the internet, claiming that under the new income tax law, the government is now preparing to digitally snoop into your phone. It is being said that from April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Department will have the direct right to check your bank accounts, emails, and even social media accounts. If you are also worried about your privacy after believing this news, then hold on. The government has completely clarified its position on this, and the truth is something else entirely.

What misinformation is being spread on social media?
Citing a post from a handle called ‘Indian Tech Guide’ (@IndianTechGuide) on the internet, it is being claimed that the new Income Tax Act, 2025, is giving unlimited powers to the department in the name of preventing tax evasion. According to the viral message, the department can scrutinize your personal messages, social media activity, and emails, even for routine checks. Naturally, an ordinary citizen would be alarmed by such claims, as they directly raise questions about the right to privacy. But let us tell you that this information is incomplete and completely misleading.

Government reveals the truth: This claim is fake.
Considering the seriousness of this viral claim, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) conducted a fact-check. The PIB has clearly stated that this claim, made on social media, is false. The government has clarified that the Income Tax Department has not been given any such ‘blanket right’ or arbitrary power to pry into anyone's digital space whenever they want. This is merely a rumor being spread out of context.

The real meaning of Section 247
Now the question arises, if this is false, then what does the law actually say? The PIB explained that this confusion has been created regarding Section 247 of the Income Tax Act 2025. The reality is that the provisions of this section are extremely strict and can only be used in specific circumstances.

The department can only access your digital data (such as emails or social media) when a 'search and survey' operation is being conducted against an individual. This means that unless there is concrete evidence of significant tax evasion against a taxpayer and the department is officially conducting a raid, no one has the right to intrude on your private life.

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