1 week ago

India's Social Media Blocking Framework Explained by MeitY Secretary

India has rules for removing harmful or illegal content from the internet.

S Krishnan said social media companies remove most content themselves under their own rules.

He said more than 99% of removals happen this way.

The government can also order blocking in specific situations.

These situations include threats to security, defence, public order, or relations with other countries.

A government agency can warn a platform that a post may break Indian law.

The person who posted it and the platform could face legal consequences.

Krishnan also said platforms need to understand Indian languages and culture when deciding whether content is harmful.

Key facts

Government blocking law: Section 69A of the Information Technology Act
Government blocking grounds: Security of the state, defence of India, public order, and friendly relations with foreign countries
Platform-led removals: Krishnan said 99% or more of takedowns occur under platforms’ community guidelines
Government notices: Authorised agencies or officials can notify platforms about content believed to violate Indian law
Potential consequences: The poster may face criminal charges, while platforms may face legal consequences if they fail to act
Intermediary protection: Section 79 provides platforms safe-harbour protection from liability for third-party content
Moderation context: Platforms should consider India’s cultural and linguistic context, including when content depicts sexual abuse or violence

businesstoday.in · 1 week ago