1 hr ago
Delhi Police Issues 200 Social Media Takedown Orders Ahead of Protest
Delhi Police has asked online platforms to remove at least 200 posts using a government app.
The posts are connected to protests calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to leave his job.
Some posts were described by authorities as a possible threat to public order.
The orders also cover posts criticizing the prime minister, government, police and government institutions.
A source said the department usually issues about 40 orders in a week.
More orders could be issued before a protest planned for October 10.
Other police officers can also send takedown requests, so the 200 orders may not be the full total.
The Sahyog app lets authorized government agencies ask platforms to remove or block online content.
Delhi Police's cybercrime monitoring department issued at least 200 takedown orders through the Sahyog app.
The orders concern content linked to protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A source said the total is five times the department's usual weekly figure of about 40 orders.
Authorities flagged content as a public-order threat, as well as posts critical of Narendra Modi, the government, police and government institutions.
Police increased online monitoring and deployed additional personnel ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party protest planned for October 10.
- Who
- Delhi Police's cybercrime monitoring department; the orders concern content linked to protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- At least 200 social media takedown orders were issued through the Sahyog app.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party protest planned for October 10; the year is not specified.
- Why
- Authorities flagged some content as a threat to public order; the orders also cover posts critical of public figures and institutions.
Key facts
- Orders reported
- At least 200
- Usual weekly orders
- About 40, according to a source citing recent trends
- Platform for requests
- Sahyog mobile application
- Planned protest date
- October 10; year not stated
- Protest demand
- The Cockroach Janta Party is demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's ouster.
- Possible count limitation
- The reported figure may exclude orders issued by other officers and units.
- Sahyog's administering body
- The app was developed under the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
Quotes
A person familiar with the matter
An unnamed source familiar with the number of Delhi Police takedown orders.
“This is five times the number of orders that are usually issued in a week. Usually, around 40 orders are issued over the course of a week, according to the trends of the last couple of months. Sometimes, the number is even lower.”
NDTV
Sources
Related news
Centre Urges Platforms to Prioritise Content Takedown Orders
Delhi Deploys 23,000 Personnel Ahead of CJP Protest
Dhruv Rathee Questions Delhi Security Clampdown Ahead of Protest
Delhi Tightens Security Ahead of CJP Protest, Disrupting Services
Delhi Police Bars CJP Protest as Opposition Criticises Decision
Protests Against Election Chief Planned Amid Delhi, Mumbai Restrictions
Kishan Reddy Blames Congress After Six Bypoll Losses
Musk Targets Ambani Over Starlink’s India Market Entry
Majhi Says Modi Tracks Chief Ministers’ Social Media Use
Modi Calls for Greater Focus on Adolescent Girls’ Health
Rahul Gandhi Says President Asked Opposition for Vote Theft Proof
