Courts must safeguard common spaces online
2 years, 8 months ago

Courts must safeguard common spaces online

Live Mint  

It’s Twitter versus the government again. Last week, the microblog platform moved the Karnataka high court, asking it to overturn government orders to block tweets and handles. Twitter has argued that the Centre’s demands are arbitrary and aimed at speech protected by Indian law; and complying with them would violate the right to free speech of its users. Under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, the chief compliance officer of a social media platform is criminally liable if it refuses official orders. Typically issued under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, these orders often come wrapped in layers of secrecy; users aren’t informed or given prior notice, let alone an explanation of why their post was dropped.

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History of this topic

X Challenges Govt’s Content Blocking in Karnataka High Court
Trending News
3 days, 23 hours ago

X Challenges Govt’s Content Blocking in Karnataka High Court

Deccan Chronicle  

X, formerly Twitter has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the Indian government’s use of Section 79 of the Information Technology Act to block content. The government has often directed social media companies to remove posts deemed harmful to national security or public order, but X argues that such actions must follow a proper legal framework. Experts …

SC agrees to examine plea over blocking of social media content
2 weeks, 6 days ago

SC agrees to examine plea over blocking of social media content

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea over issue of blocking of social media accounts or content without an opportunity to be heard to the creator or originator. SC agrees to examine plea over blocking of social media content A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih sought Centre's response on the …

Mint Explainer: Why did NCLAT lift CCI ban on WhatsApp data-sharing practices?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Mint Explainer: Why did NCLAT lift CCI ban on WhatsApp data-sharing practices?

Live Mint  

NEW DELHI : On 23 January, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal temporarily stayed the Competition Commission of India’s November 2023 order, which imposed a five-year ban on WhatsApp's data-sharing practices with parent Meta Platforms Inc.-owned companies for advertising purposes. The NCLAT’s decision was influenced by the Supreme Court’s February 2023 ruling, which refused to stay WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy …

Mint Explainer: Why the ban on WhatsApp's data-sharing practices has been stayed
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Mint Explainer: Why the ban on WhatsApp's data-sharing practices has been stayed

Live Mint  

NEW DELHI : On 23 January, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal temporarily stayed the Competition Commission of India’s November 2024 order, which imposed a five-year ban on WhatsApp's data-sharing practices with parent Meta Platforms Inc.-owned companies for advertising purposes. The NCLAT’s decision was influenced by the Supreme Court’s February 2023 ruling, which refused to stay WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy …

CCI's WhatsApp order revives question on regulatory turf
2 months ago

CCI's WhatsApp order revives question on regulatory turf

Live Mint  

A Competition Commission of India order against Meta Platforms Inc. in November over its messaging application WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update has revived questions of overlapping jurisdictions between sectoral regulators and CCI, two persons informed about the development said. “CCI’s order on Meta Platforms prohibiting data sharing by WhatsApp for five years signals CCI’s role as a guardian of personal …

NCLAT admits Meta’s appeal against CCI’s data-sharing ban, ₹213 crore fine
2 months, 1 week ago

NCLAT admits Meta’s appeal against CCI’s data-sharing ban, ₹213 crore fine

Live Mint  

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on Thursday admitted Meta Platforms' appeal against an order by India's competition regulator, which imposed a five-year ban on the company's data-sharing practices in the country and slapped a ₹213.14 crore fine for allegedly abusing its dominant position. The order imposed a penalty of ₹213.14 crore for allegedly abusing Meta's dominant position in relation …

SC Takes Cognisance of Controversial Judge's Remarks in Court Proceedings
4 months, 3 weeks ago

SC Takes Cognisance of Controversial Judge's Remarks in Court Proceedings

New Indian Express  

SC takes cognisance of controversial remarks by Karnataka High Court judge, Vedavyasachar Srishananda. The judge's remarks, including a term used against a woman lawyer, have sparked debate. The Supreme Court has accepted the judge's apology and closed the case, but the matter has raised concerns about the need for transparency in court proceedings.

Supreme Court Rules That US Government Can Continue Talking to Social Media Companies
55 years, 2 months ago

Supreme Court Rules That US Government Can Continue Talking to Social Media Companies

Wired  

Today, the Supreme Court ruled in a 6–3 decision that the plaintiffs who'd sued the US government for allegedly violating the First Amendment—by communicating with social media companies about misleading and harmful content on their platforms—did not present enough evidence to prove that they had standing to sue. Specifically, the case alleged that government agencies like the Centers for Disease …

WhatsApp threatens to exit India: What are new IT rules on tracing originator
10 months, 3 weeks ago

WhatsApp threatens to exit India: What are new IT rules on tracing originator

Hindustan Times  

WhatsApp, owned by its parent company Meta Inc., has threatened to leave India if it is forced to break encryption of messages and calls on its instant messaging platform. “As a platform, we are saying, if we are told to break encryption, then WhatsApp goes,” the lawyer appearing for WhatsApp told the Delhi high court. It means millions and millions …

WhatsApp threatens to leave India, challenges Indian government in Delhi High Court; here’s why
10 months, 3 weeks ago

WhatsApp threatens to leave India, challenges Indian government in Delhi High Court; here’s why

Live Mint  

The Delhi High Court, on Thursday, heard WhatsApp's plea challenging a provision of the 2021 Information Technology Rules for social media intermediaries that requires them to identify the first originator of information to a court or other competent authority. Counsel Tejas Karia, appearing for WhatsApp, told the Division bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, “As …

People use WhatsApp for privacy, company tells Delhi HC: ‘That goes, we exit India’
10 months, 3 weeks ago

People use WhatsApp for privacy, company tells Delhi HC: ‘That goes, we exit India’

Hindustan Times  

WhatsApp told told the Delhi High Court that the messaging platform will shut down in India if it is forced to break message encryption which protects user privacy by ensuring that only the sender and recipient can read and access message content. WhatsApp and Facebook parent company Meta are challenging the Information Technology Rules 2021. WhatsApp and Facebook parent company …

WhatsApp tells Delhi High Court it will 'exit India' if forced to break encryption
10 months, 3 weeks ago

WhatsApp tells Delhi High Court it will 'exit India' if forced to break encryption

India TV News  

New Delhi: WhatsApp told the Delhi High Court on Thursday that the popular Meta-owned messaging platform will "exit India" if it is forced to break encryption of messages. This came after the High Court listed for hearing on August 14 petitions by WhatsApp LLC and its parent company Facebook Inc, now Meta, challenging the 2021 Information Technology rules for social …

Will cease to function if forced to break encryption, WhatsApp tells Delhi High Court
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Will cease to function if forced to break encryption, WhatsApp tells Delhi High Court

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Messaging giant WhatsApp told the Delhi High Court on Thursday that it would cease to function if it was compelled to break the encryption of messages. The court was hearing petitions filed by WhatsApp and its parent company Meta challenging Rule 4 of the Information Technology Rules, 2021. The court acknowledged the need for balance in addressing these …

Supreme Court seems favorable to Biden administration over efforts to combat social media posts
1 year ago

Supreme Court seems favorable to Biden administration over efforts to combat social media posts

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court seemed likely Monday to side with the Biden administration in a dispute with Republican-led states over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security in a case that could set standards for free speech in the digital age. Justice Brett Kavanaugh also signaled …

Supreme Court casts doubt on GOP-led states’ efforts to regulate social media platforms
1 year ago

Supreme Court casts doubt on GOP-led states’ efforts to regulate social media platforms

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court cast doubt Monday on state laws that could affect how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users. Next month, the court will hear an appeal from Louisiana, Missouri and other parties accusing administration officials of pressuring social media companies to silence conservative points of view. Social media …

X factor: On the X appeal in the Karnataka High Court
1 year, 1 month ago

X factor: On the X appeal in the Karnataka High Court

The Hindu  

That the use of Internet shutdowns and arbitrary curbs on free speech on social media have become a rampant tool for those in power is evident in the manner in which the Bharatiya Janata Party-led State governments of Haryana and Rajasthan and the Union government have dealt with the farmer protests. The Union government, on the other hand, has used …

'3 New Laws Give Govt Sweeping Powers Over Journalism': Experts at Digipub Meet
1 year, 3 months ago

'3 New Laws Give Govt Sweeping Powers Over Journalism': Experts at Digipub Meet

The Quint  

“What that means is that if there is an interception order, and it's a WhatsApp message given to WhatsApp, WhatsApp needs to decrypt it and give it to a law enforcement officer,” said Gupta. “And how will it do it if it's implementing end-to-end encryption?” WhatsApp currently claims to provide end-to-end encrypted messaging services, which means that no one except …

Supreme Court to hear court ban on government contact with social media companies
1 year, 5 months ago

Supreme Court to hear court ban on government contact with social media companies

NPR  

Supreme Court to hear court ban on government contact with social media companies Enlarge this image Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to review a lower court decision that barred White House officials and a broad array of other government employees at key agencies from contact with social media companies. In the meantime, …

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution
1 year, 5 months ago

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution

The Hindu  

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. The justices had already agreed to decide whether public officials can block critics from commenting on their social media accounts, an issue that previously came up in a case involving then-President Donald Trump. Separately, …

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution
1 year, 5 months ago

The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. The justices had already agreed to decide whether public officials can block critics from commenting on their social media accounts, an issue that previously came up in a case involving then-President Donald Trump. …

US court halts ban on government contact with social media giants
1 year, 8 months ago

US court halts ban on government contact with social media giants

Al Jazeera  

A judge had previously blocked officials from engaging with the companies, in a case over misinformation and censorship. A United States appeals court has paused an earlier order that prevented government agencies from contacting social media companies to influence the content they publish. They alleged that government officials, under both Biden and his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, effectively coerced social …

Thwarting Twitter: on the Karnataka High Court ruling
1 year, 8 months ago

Thwarting Twitter: on the Karnataka High Court ruling

The Hindu  

It is unfortunate that the petition by Twitter, Inc. challenging the validity of the spate of blocking orders passed by the Union government was rejected by the Karnataka High Court. While success in litigation involving the government’s power to restrict speech and expression on grounds permitted in Article 19 of the Constitution was always expected to be difficult, it is …

Social Media Often Misused To "Manipulate Political Choices Of Voters", May Eventually Hijack Democratic Setup: Karnataka High Court
1 year, 8 months ago

Social Media Often Misused To "Manipulate Political Choices Of Voters", May Eventually Hijack Democratic Setup: Karnataka High Court

Live Law  

Social media has been used to manipulate political choices of voters, perniciously affecting the democratic setup of constitutional institutions, the Karnataka High Court observed on Friday. A single judge bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit said emergence of social media has changed the way in which people participate in the democratic process. "People increasingly rely on social media than their …

Explainer: Why Supreme Court tiptoeing past Section 230 helps Big Tech fueled by social media
1 year, 10 months ago

Explainer: Why Supreme Court tiptoeing past Section 230 helps Big Tech fueled by social media

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Those moves, coming three months …

Twitter says removed more content in first half of 2022 than in previous six months
1 year, 10 months ago

Twitter says removed more content in first half of 2022 than in previous six months

The Hindu  

Twitter will not be publishing a formal transparency report for the year 2022, the social media platform announced on its blog on April 25. It is not clear if the company has also chosen to stop publishing routine disclosures of copyright and government takedown requests on the Lumen Database — Twitter doesn’t appear to have disclosed any Indian takedown requests …

Social media rules quite strict in India, says Elon Musk
1 year, 11 months ago

Social media rules quite strict in India, says Elon Musk

The Hindu  

Twitter owner Elon Musk told the BBC on April 11 morning that he would rather comply with the Indian government’s blocking orders than risk sending Twitter employees to jail. When asked about the blocking of the BBC’s two-part documentary series India: The Modi Question, which critically examined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots and more recent …

Supreme Court wrestles with lawsuit shield for social media
2 years, 1 month ago

Supreme Court wrestles with lawsuit shield for social media

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — In its first case about the federal law that is credited with helping create the modern internet, the Supreme Court seemed unlikely Tuesday to side with a family wanting to hold Google liable for the death of their daughter in a terrorist attack. At the same time, the justices also signaled in arguments lasting two and a half …

US Supreme Court hears arguments in internet legal immunity case
2 years, 1 month ago

US Supreme Court hears arguments in internet legal immunity case

Al Jazeera  

The family of a student killed in the 2015 Paris attacks has sued YouTube for promoting videos created by ISIL fighters. Kagan told a lawyer for the Gonzalez family, Eric Schnapper, that algorithms are widely used to organise and prioritise material on the internet and asked: “Does your position send us down the road such that 230 really can’t mean …

Twitter claims 50-60% tweets directed by Centre to be removed were harmless
2 years, 5 months ago

Twitter claims 50-60% tweets directed by Centre to be removed were harmless

Live Mint  

Twitter has informed the High Court of Karnataka that 50-60 % of tweets asked by govt to be blocked are "innocuous". Contending the Central government's directive, senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for Twitter stated that the social media platform was following the rules laid out in the Information Technology Act. Further he informed that the company is getting affected with …

WhatsApp privacy policy places users in ‘take it or leave it’ situation, forces into agreement: High Court
2 years, 6 months ago

WhatsApp privacy policy places users in ‘take it or leave it’ situation, forces into agreement: High Court

The Hindu  

The Delhi High Court has held that WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy places its users in a “take it or leave it” situation, virtually forcing them into an agreement by providing a mirage of choices and then sharing their data with its parent company Facebook. The High Court’s verdict came while dismissing appeals of WhatsApp and Facebook against an order rejecting …

Delhi High Court rejects WhatsApp, Facebook appeals against CCI probe
2 years, 6 months ago

Delhi High Court rejects WhatsApp, Facebook appeals against CCI probe

The Hindu  

The Delhi High Court on Thursday, August 25, 2022, rejected appeals by WhatsApp and Facebook against the decision of the Competition Commission of India calling for an investigation into the instant messaging app’s 2021 updated privacy policy. Both WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook, now called Meta, had challenged a single-judge bench order dismissing their pleas against the probe ordered …

Delhi HC may pronounce order on pleas by WhatsApp, Facebook on August 25
2 years, 6 months ago

Delhi HC may pronounce order on pleas by WhatsApp, Facebook on August 25

The Hindu  

The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce on Thursday its verdict on appeals by WhatsApp and Facebook against the decision of the Competition Commission of India calling for an investigation into the instant messaging app’s 2021 updated privacy policy. The court had reserved its order on July 25 on the appeals of Facebook and WhatsApp challenging a single-judge order …

Karnataka High Court notice to Centre on Twitter petition challenging content and account ‘blocking orders’
2 years, 7 months ago

Karnataka High Court notice to Centre on Twitter petition challenging content and account ‘blocking orders’

The Hindu  

The High Court of Karnataka ordered issue of notice to the Central Government on a petition filed by micro-blogging platform Twitter challenging the legality of a series of ‘blocking orders’ issued by authorities under provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, either to block Twitter accounts or identified content of the accounts. The designated officer of the Ministry of Electronics …

Twitter Says Its Business Will Close If Accounts Are Blocked Without Reasons; Karnataka High Court Issues Notice To Centre
2 years, 7 months ago

Twitter Says Its Business Will Close If Accounts Are Blocked Without Reasons; Karnataka High Court Issues Notice To Centre

Live Law  

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Government on a writ petition filed by Twitter Inc challenging the blocking orders issued by the Centre.A single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit posted the matter to August 25. The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Government on a writ petition filed by Twitter …

Why has Twitter gone to court against the Indian government? | In Focus podcast
2 years, 8 months ago

Why has Twitter gone to court against the Indian government? | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

Twitter has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging multiple content-blocking orders from the government of India. Twitter’s petition has sought the quashing of as many as 39 blocking orders, issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The petition also argues that the blocking orders are unconstitutional, and violate the principles of online speech and intermediary liability. Guest: Alok …

Rightful challenge: The Hindu Editorial on Twitter, IT rules and free speech
2 years, 8 months ago

Rightful challenge: The Hindu Editorial on Twitter, IT rules and free speech

The Hindu  

By moving the Karnataka High Court challenging several blocking orders from the Union government on content posted on its website, Twitter, Inc. has finally decided to take the bull by the horns on the issue of freedom of expression on the online platform. A cynical view will regard this as action done under duress — between February 2, 2021 and …

Twitter case underlines web moderation issues
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter case underlines web moderation issues

Hindustan Times  

In a rare development, social media company Twitter has challenged various central government orders directing the take-down of politically sensitive content on its platform before the Karnataka High Court. It has argued that the blocking orders substantively violated the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and expression; procedurally violated provisions of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act and the …

Twitter seeks judicial review of Indian orders to take down content: Report
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter seeks judicial review of Indian orders to take down content: Report

Live Mint  

Twitter asked an Indian court on Tuesday to overturn some government orders to remove content from the social media platform, a source familiar with the matter said, in a legal challenge which alleges abuse of power by officials. Twitter has been asked by Indian authorities over the past year to act on content including accounts supportive of an independent Sikh …

Twitter to India court: Overturn gov’t orders to remove content
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter to India court: Overturn gov’t orders to remove content

Al Jazeera  

The US company’s attempt to get a judicial review of some Indian gov’t orders is part of a growing confrontation. Twitter has asked an Indian court to overturn some government orders to remove content from the social media platform, a source familiar with the matter said, in a legal challenge which alleges abuse of power by officials. Twitter has been …

Twitter vs Govt latest spat: All you need to know
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter vs Govt latest spat: All you need to know

Live Mint  

Twitter on Tuesday moved the Karnataka High Court, challenging the government's orders to remove content from the social media platform under the new IT rules, saying it is an abuse of power by officials. Here are the latest updates in this big story: - In a petition in the Karnataka HC, the social media platform said the Central Government has …

Twitter moves Karnataka High Court over government’s content blocking orders
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter moves Karnataka High Court over government’s content blocking orders

The Hindu  

Alleging “disproportionate use of power”, Twitter has moved the Karnataka High Court, seeking review and relief from “overbroad and arbitrary” content blocking orders from the government. A source privy to the development told The Hindu that due to the seriousness of these threats, the US-headquartered microblogging platform has chosen to challenge several of the ‘Blocking Orders’ issued under Section 69A …

Twitter moves Karnataka HC against legality of content takedown orders
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter moves Karnataka HC against legality of content takedown orders

Hindustan Times  

Twitter has moved the Karnataka high court against the legality of the government’s content takedown orders. “In June, MeitY sent Twitter a letter detailing serious consequences of non-compliance, including, but not limited to, criminal proceedings against Twitter’s Chief Compliance Officer, and granted it last opportunity to comply with a series of blocking orders.issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology …

Twitter legally challenges content take down orders by Indian government
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter legally challenges content take down orders by Indian government

Live Mint  

Alleging abuse of power by Indian officials, Twitter has moved the Karnataka High Court against the government's orders, according to a Reuters report. Ministry of Electronics and IT had given the social media platform time till 4 July to comply with its orders and failing to do, Twitter may lose intermediary status, which means it will be liable for all …

Justice Pardiwala calls for regulation of social media, says it's overrun by 'half truths'
2 years, 8 months ago

Justice Pardiwala calls for regulation of social media, says it's overrun by 'half truths'

India Today  

Justice JB Pardiwala, part of the Supreme Court bench that rapped former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for remark on Prophet Muhammad, called for strict regulations of social media, claiming that media trials are not healthy for rule of law. During a virtual address on Sunday, Justice JB Pardiwala said social media is overrun by people "possessing half truth and information" …

India is considering a panel to rule on social media takedowns
2 years, 9 months ago

India is considering a panel to rule on social media takedowns

Al Jazeera  

Digital rights activists warn the move will increase direct gov’t control over social media platforms in India. Apar Gupta, executive director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for digital rights, tweeted that should the move go through, it will “increase” direct government control over social media platforms. Rather than curing defects highlighted by Courts, they increase direct …

New IT Rules Will Empower Online Users, Protect Freedom of Speech, Says Govt in FAQs
3 years, 4 months ago

New IT Rules Will Empower Online Users, Protect Freedom of Speech, Says Govt in FAQs

News 18  

The government brought out on Monday a document on FAQs on the new IT rules, which were released this February, and insisted they do not affect the right to freedom of speech and expression, rather empower users in the online space. “While encryption ensures safety and security of the data, and the privacy norms self-imposed by the intermediary may be …

India’s new IT rules 2021 challenged in courts as critics fear digital ‘authoritarianism’
3 years, 4 months ago

India’s new IT rules 2021 challenged in courts as critics fear digital ‘authoritarianism’

The Independent  

Six years ago, when India’s prime minister Narendra Modi presented his dream of a “digital India” to the country, less than 20 per cent of the nation had internet access and its billion-plus population was seen as offering huge but almost entirely untapped potential to the world’s media giants. Critics say the Indian government’s response has been a lean towards …

'Prayers Are Satisfied': Delhi HC Closes Plea Against Twitter for Non-compliance of IT Rules
3 years, 5 months ago

'Prayers Are Satisfied': Delhi HC Closes Plea Against Twitter for Non-compliance of IT Rules

News 18  

The Delhi High Court Tuesday closed proceedings in a petition alleging non-compliance of new IT Rules by Twitter, saying that nothing remained in view of the Central government being satisfied with the micro-blogging platform appointing a Chief Compliance Officer, Resident Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person. Last month, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had told the court that …

HC to hear in August pleas of Facebook WhatsApp challenging new IT Rules
3 years, 7 months ago

HC to hear in August pleas of Facebook WhatsApp challenging new IT Rules

The Hindu  

The Delhi High Court Friday said it will hear on August 27 the pleas by Facebook and WhatsApp challenging the new IT rules for social media intermediaries, requiring the messaging app to “trace” chats and make provisions to identify the first originator of information, on the ground that they violate the right to privacy and are unconstitutional. The new Information …

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