3 weeks ago
Instagram blocks four Scroll posts citing India's IT rules
Instagram is an app where people share pictures and news stories.
Scroll is a news website that also posts its stories on Instagram.
Since June, Instagram has blocked four of Scroll's posts.
That means people in India could not see those posts.
Instagram said it had to do this because of rules made by the Indian government.
The blocked posts were about things like people hurt by pellet guns in Kashmir waiting many years for money, and a ban on selling meat in Amritsar.
Instagram did not explain exactly why each post was blocked.
The same posts can still be seen on Facebook and Threads, which are owned by the same company, Meta.
Scroll has asked Meta for an explanation.
Some people worry that blocking news posts makes it harder for people to learn what is happening.
Instagram has blocked four posts by Scroll since June, citing 'legal requirements' under India's Information Technology Rules.
The most recent block, on August 6, targeted a post about Kashmir pellet gun victims waiting up to a decade for compensation.
On July 5, Instagram restricted a post with a screenshot showing pellet injuries from a Bollywood teaser but allowed a separate photo of Srinagar's Lal Chowk.
Earlier blocks covered a June 22 post on Amritsar's meat sale ban and a June 1 post on Nikhil Gupta's postponed sentencing in a US court.
The posts remain visible on other Meta-owned platforms such as Facebook and Threads, and Scroll has requested comment from Meta.
- Who
- Instagram, an online platform owned by Meta; Scroll, an Indian news outlet; and the Union government of India, whose Information Technology Rules were cited.
- What
- Instagram blocked four posts by Scroll, citing 'legal requirements' under the Union government's Information Technology Rules, without providing specific reasons.
- Where
- On Instagram in India; the blocked posts concerned Kashmir, Amritsar, and a US court case involving an Indian citizen.
- When
- Between June 1 and August 6.
- Why
- Instagram said access was restricted through an automated system implemented pursuant to 'legal requirements' under India's Information Technology Rules.
Press freedom advocates
Platform compliance with IT Rules
Blocking news posts
Press freedom advocates
Instagram has restricted four Scroll posts on matters of public interest without giving specific reasons, limiting readers' access to journalism.
Platform compliance with IT Rules
Instagram says the restrictions were implemented through an automated system pursuant to 'legal requirements' under India's Information Technology Rules.
Transparency of decisions
Press freedom advocates
Instagram did not provide a specific reason for any of the four blocks, leaving the outlet unable to understand why its content was restricted.
Platform compliance with IT Rules
Platforms cite 'legal requirements' when complying with government rules, and such restrictions are handled automatically without detailed explanations.
Key facts
- Platform
- Parent company
- Meta
- Affected outlet
- Scroll
- Number of blocked posts
- 4
- Period of blocks
- June 1 - August 6
- Cited reason
- Legal requirements under the Union government's Information Technology Rules
- Blocked topics
- Kashmir pellet victims' compensation, Bollywood's Kashmir-themed content, Amritsar meat ban, Nikhil Gupta sentencing
- Still visible on
- Facebook and Threads
Sources
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