Latest news with #InformationTechnology(IntermediaryGuidelinesandDigitalMediaEthicsCode
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
WhatsApp cracks down on harmful behaviour, bans over 98 lakh accounts in India this June
WhatsApp removed more than 98 lakh accounts in India during the month of June as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle misuse and harmful behaviour on the platform, according to the company's latest compliance report. The Meta-owned messaging service disclosed that around 19.79 lakh of these accounts were banned proactively, without waiting for user reports, based on internal abuse detection mechanisms. Published in line with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the June report outlines actions taken by WhatsApp to curb violations originating from India. The platform received a total of 23,596 user complaints during the period, with action taken against 1,001 accounts. These actions included banning accounts or reversing previous bans following a review. Out of the total complaints, 16,069 were appeals related to account bans. Following assessments, action was taken on 756 of these cases. The remaining complaints spanned categories such as account assistance, safety-related concerns, and product feedback. WhatsApp emphasised that it considers it more effective to prevent harmful behaviour in advance rather than respond after the fact. The platform's abuse detection systems operate at multiple levels, during account registration, while messages are being sent, and in response to user feedback or behavioural patterns flagged internally. Meanwhile, in other news, Italy's antitrust regulator has launched a formal investigation into Meta Platforms over claims that it misused its market dominance by integrating its artificial intelligence tool into WhatsApp without securing user consent. The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) announced last week that the probe focuses on potential breaches of European Union competition laws. It alleges that Meta's integration of its AI assistant into WhatsApp, introduced in March 2025, may have disadvantaged rival services by directing users toward its own tools. According to the regulator, the Meta AI assistant was embedded into WhatsApp's search bar, effectively introducing a new service within an existing one. The AGCM raised concerns that this move may have compelled users to interact with Meta's AI by default, undermining fair competition and limiting consumer choice.
Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt bans over 20 OTT platforms including Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix for ‘obscene content'
In a bid to crack down on unlawful and obscene content, the government has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disable public access to over 20 OTT platforms, including big and popular names like Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix. A notification issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) emphasised that the intermediaries are responsible for removing or disabling access to unlawful information under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. It said the move is aimed at curbing the dissemination of content that is deemed sexually explicit and violative of Indian legal and cultural standards. The banned apps include Big Shots App, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, Triflicks. These have been found in violation of various laws, including Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The government has explicitly directed Internet Service Providers to disable or remove public access to these websites within India. 'MIB has also intimated to the Director (DS-II), Department of Telecommunications, with a request to facilitate compliance by the ISPs,' as per media reports, and the action shows the government's commitment to enforcing digital content regulations and ensuring adherence to the laws in the country. In April, the Supreme Court responded to a petition calling for a ban on sexually explicit content on OTT and social media. 'It's not our domain, you do something,' the SC said. However, the Justices also highlighted the need for executive action, with the Solicitor General indicating existing regulations and further measures under consideration.
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Social Media Accounts Of Many Pak Actors, Cricketers Banned Again
New Delhi: The social media accounts of several Pakistani actors and cricketers have been banned once again, briefly after they were made accessible in India. On Wednesday, the Instagram accounts of actors Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor were made visible and the YouTube channels of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar were also made accessible. However, the accounts of other Pakistani actors, such as Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir, remained inaccessible from India even yesterday. Upon searching for their accounts, users get a message: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content." Earlier in May, the government directed all Over-the-Top, or OTT platforms, media streaming services and digital intermediaries to discontinue web series, films, songs, podcasts and other media content originating from Pakistan. The advisory, dated May 8, 2025, issued under Part II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, reminded publishers and intermediaries of their obligation to "ensure that content hosted or streamed does not threaten India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, or public order." "OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect," the advisory read. Several YouTube channels hosting celebrated Pakistani shows were banned. However, after almost two months, entertainment channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo are available for streaming in India as of filing this story. YouTube channels of cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar are also accesible currently. AIWCA Seeks Immediate And Permanent Ban On Pakistani Artists' Digital Presence On Wednesday, after several Pakistani accounts were made visible, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a complete ban on the "social media presence and media channels of all Pakistani nationals, artists, influencers, and entertainment entities in India." Commenting on the visibility of several Pakistani accounts in India, AICWA said it is an "insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers and an emotional assault on every Indian who lost a loved one in terror attacks perpetrated by Pakistan." Referring to terror attacks, including 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and Pahalgam, the cine body held Pakistan responsible for continued cross-border terrorism and called it a "terrorist nation". AICWA also noted that "instead of showing remorse, several Pakistani artists have shamelessly spoken against India." AICWA made three demands: An immediate nationwide digital blackout of all Pakistani social media accounts and media channels. Ban on all future collaborations or promotions involving Pakistani citizens in Indian media, OTT platforms, and advertising. A permanent cultural disconnect from Pakistan, as a mark of respect to the Indian Armed Forces and the families of martyrs. PRESS RELEASE Date: 2nd July 2025 From: All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) Subject: Urgent Appeal to Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji Regarding the Reappearance of Pakistani Artists' Social Media & Channels in India – AICWA Demands Immediate and… — All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAOfficial) July 2, 2025 What Preceded The Ban On April 22, twenty-five tourists - 24 Indians and one Nepali citizen - and a local man were killed in the terror attack at Baisaran in Pahalgam. It was the deadliest strike in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack. The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility. Following the attack, India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a series of restrictions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. In retaliation, India also launched Operation Sindoor, and carried out a precision strike on nine terror bases in Pakistan.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Digital rights group moves HC against Delhi Police takedown powers
Digital rights advocacy group, Software Freedom Law Centre ( has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging a recent notification by the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) of Delhi that empowers the city's police to issue takedown notices for online content. The notification designates the Delhi Police as the 'Nodal Agency' under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 – a move claims lacked legal authority. In its plea, the organisation argues that empowering police officers to issue unilateral takedown orders without judicial oversight is arbitrary and violates due process. The petition underscores the distinction between the investigative role of a police officer and the regulatory power to issue takedown notices under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. 'Conflating these two distinct functions – investigation of offences and regulation of speech – results in a constitutionally impermissible overlap,' the plea said. The petition asserts that only the Central government, under Section 69A of the IT Act, has the statutory authority to issue content takedown directives. The court on Wednesday directed the Office of the L-G and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit their replies within six weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 17.
India Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Pakistani songs pulled down from Spotify after Indian government advisory
On Wednesday, May 14, Pakistani songs were taken down from Spotify in response to a government advisory. Popular tracks like 'Maand', 'Jhol', 'Faasle', and others are no longer available on the May 8, the Government of India issued an advisory instructing all OTT platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries to remove web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other media content originating from advisory was issued under Part II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. It reminded publishers and intermediaries of their responsibility to ensure that hosted or streamed content does not compromise India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, or public ministry highlighted that numerous terror attacks in India have had cross-border connections involving both state and non-state actors from Pakistan. Citing the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of several Indian citizens and one Nepali national, the government emphasised that the advisory was issued in the interest of safeguarding national security."OTT platforms, media streaming platforms, and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, having their origins in Pakistan with immediate effect," the advisory Pakistani actors Mawra Hocane and Mahira Khan's images were removed from the posters for their films 'Sanam Teri Kasam' and 'Raees'.
