India's synthetic-media label rule: does routine editing count?

Under the amended rules, "synthetically generated information" does not include routine or good-faith editing, formatting, enhancement, technical correction, colour adjustment, noise reduction, transcription or compression that does not materially alter the substance, context or meaning of the original. The definition also only reaches content that appears real and is likely to be perceived as indistinguishable from a natural person or real-world event. What does count must be prominently labelled. This is a reading of the text, not legal advice.

The rule text is from the MeitY PDF (G.S.R. 120(E), dated 10.02.2026). Sume facts are from its docs pages on captions, compose and trim. Read 2026-09-30.

What does the rule say about labels?

Section (3)(a)(ii) says information that is not barred outright must be prominently labelled so the label is easily noticeable in the visual display, or through a prefixed audio disclosure for audio. It adds that such information is to be embedded with permanent metadata or other technical provenance mechanisms, to the extent technically feasible, including a unique identifier. The duty is placed on an intermediary that offers a resource enabling creation or modification of such information.

Is trimming or cropping a clip routine editing?

The carve-out lists editing, formatting and compression, with the condition that the substance is not materially altered. Cutting a range, changing frame size or fps are formatting steps in that sense, but whether a given edit qualifies is a judgement for you or your counsel. Sume's trim describes a { width, height, fps } conform on the way out; it does not describe a label.

Which Sume tools put a visible label on a video?

Does Sume add a watermark or provenance record?

Sume's docs do not claim one, so do not rely on Sume output carrying a unique identifier or embedded metadata. A burned-in text or still label covers only the visible part. See what Sume says about C2PA and watermarks and the EU Article 50 comparison.