104 YouTube channels, 4 Facebook accounts blocked by Indian Govt: Here is why

The Government of India has taken a drastic step of blocking 104 YouTube channels and 4 Facebook accounts, confirmed Union Minister Anurag Thakur. The minister in a statement confirmed that the blocked list includes 104 YouTube channels, 45 videos, 4 Facebook accounts, 3 Instagram accounts, 5 Twitter accounts and 6 websites. These accounts and videos were blocked for spreading misinformation and threatening national security.

The minister said that under section 69A of the Information Technology Act that provides for blocking of content over digital media in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to the above, these accounts and content were blocked.

Indian Government blocked misleading YouTube channels

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had issued directions to block 1,643 user-generated webpage links, or URLs, including webpages, websites, posts and accounts on social media platforms from 2021 to October 2022. "The government has taken action under these rules and if required, we will not hesitate to take such action in the future," Thakur said.

On the other hand, the government had asked YouTube earlier this week to ban three channels for making false and sensational claims about public welfare initiatives and spreading fake news. "The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has directed YouTube to take down the three channels Aaj Tak Live, News Headlines and Sarkari Updates," an official source said Wednesday.

It was said that these channels were using thumbnails and images of TV news channels and their anchors for misleading viewers. This made people assume that fake content and news shared by them was authentic.