3,047 URLs of social media websites blocked in India since 2013
A total of 1,377 URLs of social media websites and webpages were blocked in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (up to 30th October 2016) under section 69A of the IT Act. Data from Ministry of Electronics and Information and Information further shows that a total of 1,670 URLs of social media websites were blocked in compliance with the directions of the competent Courts of India during the same period.
- Nov 23, 2016,
- Updated Nov 23, 2016 8:59 PM IST
A total of 1,377 URLs of social media websites and webpages were blocked in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (up to 30th October 2016) under section 69A of the IT Act. Data from Ministry of Electronics and Information and Information further shows that a total of 1,670 URLs of social media websites were blocked in compliance with the directions of the competent Courts of India during the same period.
Section 69A of IT Act allows government to take action for blocking of websites or webpages with objectionable content, whenever requests are received from designated nodal officers or upon Court orders. This section empowers the government to block any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of i) sovereignty and integrity of India, ii) defence of India, iii) security of the State, iv) friendly relations with foreign States v) public order or vi) for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence relating to above.
The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 has provisions for removal of objectionable online content. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011 under section 79 of the IT Act requires that the Intermediaries shall observe due diligence while discharging their duties and shall inform the users of computer resources not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update or share any information that is harmful, objectionable, affect minors and unlawful in any way.
Government of India does not regulate the content appearing on social networking sites yet.
A total of 1,377 URLs of social media websites and webpages were blocked in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (up to 30th October 2016) under section 69A of the IT Act. Data from Ministry of Electronics and Information and Information further shows that a total of 1,670 URLs of social media websites were blocked in compliance with the directions of the competent Courts of India during the same period.
Section 69A of IT Act allows government to take action for blocking of websites or webpages with objectionable content, whenever requests are received from designated nodal officers or upon Court orders. This section empowers the government to block any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of i) sovereignty and integrity of India, ii) defence of India, iii) security of the State, iv) friendly relations with foreign States v) public order or vi) for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence relating to above.
The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 has provisions for removal of objectionable online content. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011 under section 79 of the IT Act requires that the Intermediaries shall observe due diligence while discharging their duties and shall inform the users of computer resources not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update or share any information that is harmful, objectionable, affect minors and unlawful in any way.
Government of India does not regulate the content appearing on social networking sites yet.