Linking Social Media A/C To Aadhaar: Madras HC Tells YouTube, Google LLC To Enter Appearance Even As Notice Served On Google India

In no mood to delay the proceedings in a PIL revolving around linking online identity of users with Aadhaar or other government-authorised ID proof and making social media companies duty-bound to assist probe agencies in criminal matters especially cyber crimes, the Madras High Court has directed Google LLC and YouTube to appear before it even as the notice issued to them was served on. In no mood to delay the proceedings in a PIL revolving around linking online identity of users with Aadhaar or other government-authorised ID proof and making social media companies duty-bound to assist probe agencies in criminal matters especially cyber crimes, the Madras High Court has directed Google LLC and YouTube to appear before it even as the notice issued to them was served on their subsidiary Google India. Viewed from the perspective of privacy vis-a-vis crime, we are of the view that service provider has a duty and responsibility, to provide adequate information to the investigation agency.” It then asked the counsel of Google India, a subsidiary of Google LLC, to send a copy of the affidavit and orders passed in this writ petition to YouTube and Google LLC, “and the service provider can enter appearance”. Social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Whatsapp, Google from whom information is sought for investigation, Cyber Crime, Commissioner of Police, are required to be heard, as to why they should not be made as party respondents, to these writ petitions,” the bench had said while issuing notice to these service providers.