104 YouTube Channels Blocked For Spreading Misinformation, Threatening India's Security: Anurag Thakur Tells RS

104 YouTube channels, 45 videos, four Facebook accounts, three Insta accounts, 5 Twitter handles and six websites blocked for spreading misinformation and threatening national security, Thakur said.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

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Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday stated that 104 YouTube channels, 45 videos, 4 Facebook, 3 Instagram, 5 Twitter, and 6 websites had been disabled for propagating false information and endangering national security, news agency PTI reported.

In response to questions from the Rajya Sabha, Thakur stated that section 69A of the Information Technology Act allows for the blocking of content on digital media when it is necessary to protect India's sovereignty or integrity, defence, security, friendly relations with other countries, or public order, as well as to prevent incitement to commit any crimes related to the aforementioned.

Union minister Anurag Thakur says 104 YouTube channels, 45 videos, four Facebook accounts, three Instagram accounts, five Twitter handles and six websites blocked for spreading misinformation and threatening national security

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 22, 2022

He claimed that between October 2021 and October 2022, 1,643 user-generated URLs, including webpages, websites, postings, and accounts on social media platforms, were to be blocked in accordance with the terms of Part-II of the IT Rules.

"The government has taken action under these rules and if required, we will not hesitate to take such action in the future," Thakur was quoted by PTI in its report. 

Rakesh Sinha, a member of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, questioned Thakur about deceptive sexual commercials that target youngsters. Thakur responded by saying that any such advertisement that breaks the law is quickly discovered and a warning is given to the producers. He highlighted the age brackets established for OTT material under the IT regulations 2021, including the adult category and those for viewers over the age of seven, 13, and 16.

“The rules also provide for a three-level grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints/grievances relating to violation by digital news publishers of the code of ethics and taking action thereupon," Thakur said in a written response to Rajya Sabha member D. Veerendra Heggade on the grievance procedure for digital news.

(With Agencies Inputs)