Govt Blocks Several Social Media Accounts Spreading Fake News, Hateful Content – Details Here

As part of the crackdown, the owners of these social media handles are being identified and action will be taken against them under the law

New Delhi: Amid a major crackdown on incendiary posts, the Centre on Saturday blocked many social media accounts on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook for spreading hateful content, said Minister of State for IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

As part of the crackdown, the owners of these social media handles are being identified and action will be taken against them under the law, the minister said, adding that these platforms will be reviewed.

According to sources close to news agency PTI, the action comes in the wake of different social media handles posting offensive content such as a fake video of a Cabinet briefing, an animated video that shows violence against the Prime Minister and inciting and derogatory content targeted at Hindu women.

The Delhi Police have also registered a case after it came across a fake video of a Cabinet meeting where some persons showed that the meet was against the Sikh community, officials had said on Friday.    

Responding to a tweet that sought action against the ‘creators of a very violent video that features the PM’ that has been doing the rounds on the public platforms since December 2020, Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said that “@GoI_MeitY takes its responsibility to keep Internet Safe and Trusted and Intermediaries accountable for the content” and that they are working on it.

“Taskforce on Safe & Trusted Internet at @GoI_MeitY at work. Handles that tried to push fake/inciting content on twitter, youtube, fb, insta have been blocked,” Chandrasekhar tweeted on Saturday.

As per the sources, the government has identified 73 Twitter handles, four pieces of YouTube content, and one Instagram game that are responsible for the incendiary matter, and acting on it, the 73 Twitter handles were suspended, the four YouTube content and the Instagram game have been removed.

Last year, the Central government had introduced stringent rules for social media platforms as per which the social media companies are to take down contentious content from the platforms, appoint grievance officers and assist in the investigations.